After reading this portion, I am left with a lot of thoughts due to the multitude of symbolism and motifs that have been scattered throughout the pages. This is one of the primary reasons why I am so fascinated by Chinese culture; they're use of short stories and parables, while unique to their culture, are also relatable to everyday life in any nation, regardless of ethnicity.
One of the most significant quotes that I thought was very applicable to people of today (although it is not really presented in that context) was when June talks about the crab that she "befriended" when she was young, but then her mother threw it into the boiling pot of water. June reflects on this episode, stating, "...I also try to convince myself that they don't have enough brains to know the difference between a hot bath and a slow death" (226). While this quote may reference how the crabs feel, I had a deep revelation about one of those "there are two types of people in the world" sayings. So, without further ado...There are two types of people in the world: those who think that they're only in a relaxing hot bath, and those who realize that they're dying a slow, painful death. That is to say, some people are too naïve to comprehend the severity of the situation that they are in while others can identify exactly what is going on. Reading this, I felt like it was a very accurate and meaningful way to view the world, and may have some connections to the phrase 'too much of a good thing.' In comparison, a person may be manipulated by the overwhelming pleasure of the 'goodness' they possess, basking in the glory as if taking a hot bath. Others may be disillusioned on the premises of 'too good to be true' and may recognize danger immediately. This saying has obvious roots in the business realm as well, where those attuned to the practice will have a better chance of working their way out of a scam or bad deal than a rookie who will be caught in the piles of paperwork after chasing a false offer. Another of my favorite quotes has made many appearances throughout the story as the meanings of the different elements--air, water, fire, metal, and wood--in people's lives. Rose iterates a lesson her mother taught her when she was younger, saying, "A girl is like a young tree...You must stand tall and listen to your mother standing next to you. That is the only way to grow strong and straight. But if you bend to listen to other people, you will grow crooked and weak. You will fall to the ground with the first strong wind. And then you will be like a weed, growing wild in any direction, running along the ground until someone pulls you out and throws you away" (213). This should be the mantra of parents everywhere. I feel as though kids today do not respect their parents as much as they should, and as a result, they become too influenced by other people's opinions, thus wavering on the path of life. Granted, there are those who we all know are not very good parents (take Huckleberry Finn's for example--his dad is the town drunkard), but for the most part, mom and dad have very valuable pieces of wisdom and advice to give their children, and we would be smart to listen to them.
I also wrote about how this section was easier to relate to. Although the book has unique characteristics that can only relate to the Chinese culture, there are still many other aspects that anyone could easily relate to. I do agree with you that that children should listen to their parents more and listen to them, because they are wise and have probably made many of the same mistakes in their lifetime. However, I think it is important sometimes for kids to make their own mistakes and learn from them. Instead of just taking someone's word for it, I think people should go out and experience things for themselves and find out what works for them and what doesn't, what will bring them success and what they will fail at. This does have limits though. I think people should be kept from doing things that can put their lives in danger. I do believe though, that it is important to make my own mistakes and write my own story of life.
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