How does Gish Jen use symbolism in 'The White Umbrella' short story?

One of the main themes is the search for identity. The narrator is a young girl who is influenced by different cultures and trying to figure out where she belongs. Another theme could be the idea of aspiration and the desire for a different life, as symbolized by the white umbrella.

Gish Jen's short stories reflect modern society through her portrayal of family dynamics. In modern times, families are complex, and Jen shows this by depicting multi - generational families with different expectations and values.

The author of the short story 'Irish' by Gish Jen is Gish Jen herself. It's her creation.

One of her well - known short stories might be 'Who's Irish?' It explores cultural differences and family relationships in a very engaging way. The characters are vividly drawn, and the story makes you think about how different cultures interact within a family setting.

In 'Everyday Use', the quilts symbolize different things to different characters. For Dee, they are a symbol of a more glamorous and showy version of her heritage. She wants to hang them on the wall as if they were art pieces. But for Mama and Maggie, the quilts are symbols of family, love, and the practical side of heritage. They are meant to be used, like how their ancestors used them. The yard in the story also symbolizes the family's connection to the land and their roots. It's a simple, unpretentious place that represents the real, everyday side of their heritage, as opposed to Dee's more idealized and somewhat removed view of it.

The author uses the things the soldiers carry as symbols. For example, the pebble that Henry Dobbins carries is a symbol of his connection to home and a sense of normalcy. It's something simple from his everyday life that he holds onto in the abnormal situation of war.

The snow in 'The Dead' is a powerful symbol. It represents death and the coldness that comes with it. It also symbolizes the way in which the past can cover and freeze the present. Another symbol is the piano, which can stand for the lost or fading cultural heritage of Ireland.

The rose in the title can be seen as a symbol of love or respect that was never fully given to Emily during her life. It also represents the beauty and delicacy that was missing from her harsh existence.

The watch itself is a powerful symbol. It likely represents the character's former life, a time of normalcy before the chaos of the Holocaust. It could also symbolize hope or a future that the character is holding onto. When it is in jeopardy or lost, it shows the destruction of that hope and the shattering of the connection to a better past.

Her use of diverse characters. Jen creates a wide range of characters with different personalities, ages, and backgrounds within her short stories. This helps to paint a more comprehensive picture of the communities she writes about.