Preface
The theme explored in this Anthology is Cultural Identity. Embedded in the story of the Disappearing Moon Café is the life of new immigrants in Canada and how they adamantly cling to the values of the past and forgone opportunities and happiness for themselves. The short stories, poems, and micro-dramas all relate to the aforementioned. In short stories the theme of cultural identity is briefly covered. Both short stories relate to how the now Chinese Canadian family holds close value to their way of life back home. Lee Mui Lan is a first generation Chinese in Canada who, along with her husband Wong Gwei Chang and Wong Choy Fuk, get getting used to the different ways of the country.
Each character is directly connected to the theme of cultural identity. The first poem display Kae Ying Woo’s frustration with having to deal with the different things her culture values. She does not understand why she is always so pressured by her parents. In a sense, she is trying to find her own identity, not one else’s. The other displays Chan Fong Mei’s annoyance with the unnecessary and overly strong emphasis that is placed on race in society. Each of the anthological characters experience conflict in relation to their culture and the country that they live in, Canada.
Short Stories
The "Short Stories" section relates to the way of life in Canada as compared to the way of life in China. Lee Mui Lan, Wong Choy Fuk, and Wong Gwei Chang are all trying to adjust to the different customs in Canada. In the first story, Wong Choy Fuk tells how the family restaurant reminds him of home, stating that it is reminiscent of an old Chinese tea house. In the second, Lee Mui Lan struggles to adjust to the different laws in Canada as she believes that a man should be able to have as many wives as he wishes.
A re-created Chinese experience
Lee Mui Lan’s son Wong Choy Fuk was a 16 year old boy who was trying to adjust to his new environment. His family’s restaurant, the Moon Café, reminded him of China “It was a replica of an old-fashioned Chinese teahouse” he said, describing how the Vancouver B.C. restaurant has preserved Chinese culture in Canada.
The Chinese Exclusion Act
Lee Mui Lan’s belief system is compromised because of government policy. Canada’s laws affect her life. In generations past, it’s common to have more than one wife in China, which is something she wanted for Wong Choy Fuk, in Canada. Her husband Wong Gwei Chang explained to her that Canadian law forbids such a practice.
Two Poems
These poems convey the Kae Ying Woo and Chan Fong Mei's feelings. Kae expresses her thoughts toward being pushed so hard to perform to a level that is not wanted by her, but instead her parents. She feels as if the world is on her shoulders, and tells how she needs to get away. Chan expresses her feelings about race in general, and why it has to have so much emphasis in regards to everything. Being a Chinese women especially, she has to deal with constant stereotypes and discrimination.
The World On My Shoulders
I wake up - same routine again, it's insane
the pressures on, I’ve got to perform again
because this facade of mine - says it's all okay
because happiness isn't money, it's your GPA
I hope the next generation wont be raised this way
3.9? not enough, sad, but what can I say
foolish we are, because we chase that 4.5
only to die in regret, the wasted time we're alive
so it's like we long for the reaper, what we strive for
hello, I'm a Chinese Canadian, that is my daily schedule
they say the paths we take, determine our future
but the paths available are determined by nurture
so cut down my choices, I'm what you want me to be
but it's just for the moment, because it changes when I leave
I'm going somewhere far away
to lift this weight up off of me
somewhere far away
so I can steal some room to breathe
somewhere, I don't care, anywhere is fine
as long as I'm free of this burden of mine
I don’t need to reappear
all that I really want to do anyway is disappear,
just like the moon.
-Kae Ying Woo
Riddle Me This
It doesn’t even exist - a fake word used to discriminate
a device used to hate, created a baseless fate
A single trait, a tool implied to degrade,
Forbade, countless men from getting their life straight
we still deserve the restitution
Its meaning is a figurative pollution
that is stuck in our youths head
there is only one solution, from hence this words dead
my whole life this words been said
Around the world its influence is spread
Taking literally - created by the foolish
A absorbed by ignorant
Still we spent, all our lives believing it
Its in our dictionaries, it has a meaning yet
It doesn’t even subsist – the literal meaning doesn’t exist
Manipulated by the rich, for constricting poor
Knowledge is power, why does society continue to grip it for?
I take a look in the mirror to see the difference in my face
Then I wonder why so much emphasis is put on this word we call ‘race’
-Chan Fong Mei
Micro Dramas
This first micro drama takes place at no exact set time. Wong Choy Fuk is adjusting to the different life in Vancouver, Canada. Meanwhile, Lee Mui Lan is still adamant of valuing what her family valued back in China. Wong Choy Fuk finds himself doing what his mother wishes of him, but never ever getting any credit he feels he deserves. In this short scene the mother and son argue with each other as cultural identities clash.
Wong Choy Fuk: I got straight A’s on my report card mother; I think I deserve a little bit more freedom
Lee Mui Lan: So what? Straight A? Who cares, that is expected of you.
Wong Choy Fuk: What else do I have to possibly do for you to stop trying to control my life so much then!
Lee Mui Lan: Ah! Control life? I raise you to be good Chinese adult. I teach you what you should teach future kids. You don’t like it then too bad.
Wong Choy Fuk: Well it’s stupid! I can think for myself, I’m 18.
Lee Mui Lan: You feel you so independent then you go leave house. We see how well you do then.
Wong Choy Fuk: Mother why do you always have to do this? I work hard in my life just like you ask me too and all I ask in return is that you treat me like a grown up.
Lee Mui Lan: I treat you how your great granny treat me. I make you into a successful boy.
Wong Choy Fuk: Times have changed! Who cares how and why granny treated you the way she did. I’m tired of having to do everything for your sake and not even get appreciated for it. I don’t care from now on then I’ll do whatever I think is best for me in my life, not what you think is best for me.
Lee Mui Lan: What I say is best for you is correct. I know best, you don’t like, leave.
Wong Choy Fuk: Fine! I don’t care anymore then, I’ll go live with Gong Gong and I’ll be just fine.
Lee Mui Lan: Hah, you think Gong Gong take you in?
Wong Choy Fuk: He’s more understanding then you! He understands the fact that we live in Vancouver now, not China.
Lee Mui Lan: You’re a fool! You go then and see what happens.
Wong Choy Fuk: I will…
In this micro-drama Wong and Lee have a discussion about their son not being able to have more than one wife due to laws in Canada. This is a strong example of how a country’s principles neglect the previous customs of certain immigrants. The Chinese Exclusion Act does not allow Lee to bring anyone of Chinese decent to Canada. Both the Exclusion Act and laws protecting the sanctity of monogamous marriage denies Lee’s intent for Wong. Choy Fuk. Opposite to Lee Mui Lan’s life in the East, this opportunity allowed in China is restricted in Vancouver and Lee is forced to accept and abide by Canadian practice.
Wong Gwei Chang: Haven’t you seen the Canadian laws?
Lee Mui Lan: What?
Wong Gwei Chang: Choy Fuk cannot have more than one wife, it is illegal.
Lee Mui Lan: Illegal? Nonsense! In China man do that all the time, so here I say he can have as many wives as we want him to have.
Wong Gwei Chang: Even if he was allowed many wives, it is not allowed to bring Chinese people into Canada.
Lee Mui Lan: Huh? Why not, we came here years ago didn’t we? We can bring whoever we want!
Wong Gwei Chang: No, haven’t you heard of the new Chinese exclusion act?
Lee Mui Lan: Chinese exclusion act?
Wong Gwei Chang: No one of Chinese decent can be brought into Canada
Lee Mui Lan: Who cares about racist law, we should bring to Canada whoever we want for Choy. What’s worst that can happen?
Wong Gwei Chang: We’ll be put in jail, that’s what is going to happen!
Review
"The Disappearing Moon Cafe: The Anthology" is a well made anthology, exploring and expressing several peripheral characters from the novel "Disappearing Moon Cafe". Through poem, story, and short micro-drama we get a glimpse of the characters persona's. The anthology setup of the anthology is clever and innovative, set up as a presentation through the form of a blog. The anthology as a whole reflects the theme of cultural identity. The writer did a good job making the work in the anthology relative to the aforementioned theme. The strongest part of the anthology are the two poems. Both poems convey great emotion of characters Kae Ying Woo and Chan Fong Mei, respectively. Both deal with the theme of cultural identity as well as the issue of race. The weakest part of the anthology are the two micro-dramas. Even though both micro-dramas get the point across clearly, they could have been more thoughtful and complex. Aside from this minor weakness, the anthology overall is solid, interesting, and well made. If nothing else, it certainly was interesting enough to make me want to go to my nearest Chapters and pick up the novel.
