Blog 2- RR

Although there are few words in the film The Scent of Green Papaya, the symbolism in the film speaks volumes. Mui is a symbol in herself. She is the symbol of Vietnam's colonization from the French in Part One of the movie, and a symbol of the eventual growth of the country once France has left, in Part Two. She symbolizes the country's endurance despite hardship and change. She was also a symbol in her master's eyes. We learn in the movie that her master's daughter passed away when she was very young; had she still been living, she would have been Mui's age. Mui's master was very kind and loving to Mui and it seems as though she felt that Mui had been sent to her for a reason: to be a daughter.

The youngest son of Mui's master as a child represent the interruption and chaos caused by the French. It also shows the power that the French held over the Vietnamese people. This is shown when the son pours hot wax onto the ants that Mui was so enthralled with. It also shows when he spills the water on the floor that Mui had just cleaned, and pees in the vase where Mui is dusting and cleaning. Regardless of how much Mui cleaned and repeated her cleaning, the son was always there to mess things up again. This also symbolizes the overall occupation of Vietnam. Each time Vietnam was occupied, the country was "messed" up; chaotic, destroyed, and damaged. Each time the Vietnamese picked everything back up and persisted.

The idea of the family unity and strength is also shown in the film. This is shown when we learn that the master's husband is having an affair. Although she knows this, she still allows him back into the house. This signifies the importance of the family unit in Vietnamese culture. Though he does not make a huge impression in the movie himself (he just plays instruments and says very little), we can see what an impact he has as part of the family when the children constantly ask for him, and if he is coming home.

In Part Two, we see the immense influence that French colonization and the West has on Vietnam. Khuyen is wearing western clothing, and playing the Piano, a western instrument. His fiance is shown wearing western clothing, heels, and makeup, which is also very Western. It seems that Mui is stuck in time while Khuyen and his fiance have moved forward.

We also see Khuyen teaching Mui how to read. This is symbolic in that it shows the country of Vietnam advancing and growing. At the end of the film, Mui is reading very well; she is also pregnant. This symbolizes the rebirth of Vietnam after the war.

There is a significance to Part 1 and 2 other than the period of time in which they occur. Part One begins with Mui being a servant. This signifies the servitude that the Vietnamese people were confined to during the French occupation. In Part 2, she begins as a servant, but ends as an expectant mother who is more educated and in love. This signifies the growth of the Vietnamese people after the war. What also signifies both growth, persistence, and rebirth are the last lines of the movie about the cherry tree. It says that regardless of how much the cherry tree is battered and damaged, it will always be a cherry tree. This is a strong symbol of the Vietnamese people. Despite being controlled and ridiculed by so many countries during the conflict, they still are and will always remain Vietnamese.