The Chinese Restaurant
The Chinese Restaurant is more than just a place to eat; it is a symbol of the main character’s connection to his ethnic roots. It is also significant to the owners and staff not just because it connects them to their Chinese heritage but it is also emblematic of their collective willingness to become dutiful, contributing members of American society. There is an additional layer of meaning for Darleen’s family as it allegorical of her father’s influence over them as a married couple especially when he “awards” Raymond with a position as night shift manager.
Loretta Young
Loretta Young was “the only white woman Grandma approved of” according to Raymond. She played the roles of Chinese heroines in films after having been heavily made up to look somewhat Oriental. His grandmother had fully bought into these roles making her “sort of Chinese” in her mind therefore, acceptable. The actress symbolizes how White Americans generally perceive the Asian American populace. She also symbolizes how Chinese American population in the US would always remain as outsiders to mainstream American society.
Pop Culture/Historical References
Raymond is a wellspring of pop culture and historical trivia. He is constantly mentioning odd snippets of it especially if it has something to do with the Hollywood depiction of the Chinese. The trivia he regularly spouts is more that just a means of trying to validate himself: the trivia is symbolic of his Asian-American identity. The trivia is also emblematic of Raymond’s constant internal struggle with the two cultures that he has embraced.
Gifts Received from Darleen’s Family
During their divorce Raymond gathers up every single gift he had received from Darleen’s family and returns them. This was a symbolic act of giving up on his relationship with Darleen and a means of formally cutting ties with her family. The gesture is also cathartic in nature. In returning all of the gifts Raymond also frees himself from any indebtedness he had felt from them.
Names
Raymond’s father and uncles were named after American presidents. They were the first in their generation to be born in the US. They were also the first generation to turn down the use of traditional Chinese names in favor of more “American sounding” ones. It is symbolic of their desire to integrate into mainstream American society and shows their willingness to adapt to their new, adoptive culture.
