“The Scent of Green Papaya” has very little dialogue and plot, but conveys its message through the use of many symbols. The servant girl, Mui, is a symbol for Vietnam itself. As a young girl, her work is constantly interrupted and sometimes ruined by the little boy whom she serves. The boy represents the power that many other countries hold over Vietnam, such as China, Japan, and the United States. Mui is like Vietnam in that she holds no authority over the little boy’s actions because of his higher status over her. The older boy that Mui serves also represents the countries in higher power. The scene in which he pours wax over the ants that Mui had been so fascinated with shows these powerful nations’ grip over the people of Vietnam. In their eyes, the Vietnamese people are nothing more than ants.
At the beginning and end of the film, planes flying overhead can be heard. This is the only signal in the movie that war is going on. Also at the beginning and end, Mui cuts open a ripe papaya revealing the seeds inside. Even though ten years have passed in the movie and the war is not over, Mui holds on to hope. The seeds represent the hope of a new Vietnam, just in its beginning stages, but with the potential to grow.
The film’s conclusion is a love story, in which Mui’s new master, Khuyen, falls in love with her. As his engagement is broken off, he and Mui fall in love and he teaches her to read and write. The final scene depicts Mui reading a poem about a cherry tree. Although the tree can be beaten and battered, it will always remain a cherry tree. This is a clear illustration of Vietnam. Through devastating war and unwanted interference, Vietnam will always remain Vietnam in the eyes of its citizens, and they will continue to be proud of where they come from. Through the use of symbolism, the film does not need a powerful script or plot; the ideas represented through symbols tell the story perfectly.
“The Scent of Green Papaya” has very little dialogue and plot, but conveys its message through the use of many symbols. The servant girl, Mui, is a symbol for Vietnam itself. As a young girl, her work is constantly interrupted and sometimes ruined by the little boy whom she serves. The boy represents the power that many other countries hold over Vietnam, such as China, Japan, and the United States. Mui is like Vietnam in that she holds no authority over the little boy’s actions because of his higher status over her. The older boy that Mui serves also represents the countries in higher power. The scene in which he pours wax over the ants that Mui had been so fascinated with shows these powerful nations’ grip over the people of Vietnam. In their eyes, the Vietnamese people are nothing more than ants.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the film a siren is heard, signaling the people to go inside and remain there for the night. At the end, planes flying overhead can be heard. This contrast shows the passage of time from the beginning stages of war and the full-fledged war effort. Also at the beginning and end, Mui cuts open a ripe papaya revealing the seeds inside. Even though ten years have passed in the movie and the war is not over, Mui holds on to hope. The seeds represent the hope of a new Vietnam, just in its beginning stages, but with the potential to grow.
The film’s conclusion is a love story, in which Mui’s new master, Khuyen, falls in love with her. As his engagement is broken off, he and Mui fall in love and he teaches her to read and write. The final scene depicts Mui reading a poem about a cherry tree. Although the tree can be beaten and battered, it will always remain a cherry tree. This is a clear illustration of Vietnam. Through devastating war and unwanted interference, Vietnam will always remain Vietnam in the eyes of its citizens, and they will continue to be proud of where they come from. Through the use of symbolism, the film does not need a powerful script or plot; the ideas represented through symbols tell the story perfectly.