Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Crazy Rich Asians, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Wealth and Absurdity
Marriage and Money
Family vs. Individuality
Chinese vs. Western Culture
Summary
Analysis
Rachel is amused to see how many well-dressed wedding guests are not impressed by the Cuban band playing in a warehouse. She, Nick, and Oliver discuss the fashionable styles people are wearing until the lights dim and doors open to reveal ferries ready to take guests to the next location. Astrid hurries onto a ferry with people she doesn’t know so she won’t have to lie about where Michael is. But when she turns around, she notices Charlie Wu watching her. He joins her at the railing, where they briefly discuss his job (he’s in tech, and people call him the “Asian Steve Jobs”) and their respective families. Charlie is also here alone; he jokes that unless you’re really important, your spouse wasn’t invited. Privately, Astrid thinks she was terrible to Charlie when she broke up with him.
Rachel might not know exactly what high-class Singaporeans think a wedding should be like, but she nevertheless understands that this isn’t it. Recall that Charlie and Astrid were engaged years ago and that Astrid’s parents didn’t approve of Charlie because he wasn’t wealthy enough. Essentially, what happened to Astrid and Charlie is what many in Nick’s family hope will happen between Rachel and Nick. So, it’s interesting to see that Astrid and Charlie still like each other and have chemistry. How their relationship evolves over the rest of the novel will, perhaps, offer some insight into what Rachel and Nick might have in store.
Themes
Just then, the ferries approach an island, on which a crystal palace has been erected in the forest. Trees and vines drape over the glass panels, and Charlie observes that it cost more than $40 million. Araminta, in a white silk dress, and Colin greet their guests. Araminta asks Colin to tell her when he spots Astrid so she can scope what Astrid is wearing. When they notice Astrid in a cheongsam, Araminta asks what the point of this wedding even is.
The amount of money the Lees spent on this wedding is truly astronomical. Araminta expects her guests, namely Astrid, to wear new clothes to the event as a sign that they’re taking it seriously and respect her; this is why she feels like Astrid is snubbing her by wearing simple clothes she already owns. Note too that Araminta has this response to Astrid wearing a cheongsam, a traditional Chinese garment. Araminta, it seems, prefers Parisian fashions to Chinese ones, and she judges Astrid for making the traditional choice.
Themes
Finally, all the guests are on the island—and Cirque du Soleil performers drop from the ceiling. Kitty jumps with excitement at the sight. Oliver appears next to her, and she tells him she loves Cirque du Soleil—she has to have them at her wedding, too. When Oliver notes that’ll be expensive, Kitty insists Alistair, or his parents, can handle it. Quietly, Oliver tells her the Chengs live in a basic flat with ratty bath mats, and Malcolm Cheng doesn’t make much as a doctor because malpractice insurance is so expensive. The Chengs spent all their money on their kids’ educations, and Eddie will inherit what’s left since he’s the eldest son. Privately relieved that Kitty doesn’t seem to know how much real estate the Chengs own, he continues that none of that matters when Kitty is so clearly in love.
Humorously, Kitty is probably correct that the Chengs could hire Cirque du Soleil (a troupe of world-famous acrobats) many times over. But Oliver preys on the fact that Kitty doesn’t know what old-money wealth looks like. For instance, Eddie has referred to his parents as “royalty” and has said outright that his parents don’t act as wealthy as they actually are. Oliver recognizes that Kitty truly is dating Alistair for his money, and that not having Cirque du Soleil at her wedding may indeed be a dealbreaker. This, of course, contrasts with Rachel, who has said she doesn’t care about Nick’s money.
Themes
