In the book, jewelry—particularly the gold earrings and rings that Aunt Tam gives to Hang—exemplifies the way that wealth is an expression of love for Hang’s family. Aunt Tam gives the earrings and rings to Hang after they meet for the first time. Though this gift, Aunt Tam hopes to express her affection and demonstrate her desire to provide for Hang, whom she views as the heir to her family. Yet the fact that Aunt Tam gives Hang this jewelry drives a wedge between Hang and Que—something that becomes deeply upsetting to Hang because she values the love of her mother over everything else. Duong thus uses the jewelry to illustrate that even though such a lavish gift may be an expression of affection, it cannot take the place of genuine love.
Jewelry Quotes in Paradise of the Blind
She stepped back to inspect me. The jewelry was unbefitting a nine-year-old girl, but Aunt Tam had the gaze of a painter before a portrait. These jewels had been locked in their hiding place since the day of their purchase. I should have been delighted; instead, I was paralyzed with fear. I touched my earlobe, tracing the sharp edges of the lozenge-shaped stone. I pulled my hand back and stuffed it in my pocket. I felt chilled, numb. I didn’t know why, but there was something sinister about all this finery, like throwing flower petals on an abandoned grave.
One night, when I couldn’t stand it anymore, I said to my mother, “I don’t even have the energy to study. Let’s sell one of the rings.”
“We can’t. They’re Aunt Tam’s,” my mother said, irritated.
I tried to keep calm. “She gave them to me. I need to survive and study before I can wear any ring.”
“No,” she snapped.
“Mother, I’m hungry,” I pleaded, biting back my tears. She went white and glowered at me. Suddenly, she jumped up, screaming like a madwoman, “No! Shut up! I said NO.”
Jewelry Symbol Timeline in Paradise of the Blind
