Metaphor for Abandoning Identity
Raymond’s divorce is meant more than just giving up on his marriage. In many ways it was also metaphorical for abandoning part of his identity. Having been conditioned to live up to certain expectations imposed upon him by his family as the eldest male in the family, his marriage was actually more of a fulfillment of wanting to live up to those expectations rather than the result of real love. When Raymond realizes however that this marriage wasn’t something that he wanted for himself but rather something he did because it was expected of him, he files for a divorce. In filling for a divorce he abandons his identity as the dutiful eldest son; more than that he is also abandoning his identity as the son whose duty is to continue the Ding family line.
Metaphor for Toxic Masculinity
Raymond’s sexual affairs are more than just a result of selfishness. The affairs are metaphor for the culture of toxic masculinity that Raymond has grown up with. The culture of toxic masculinity, interestingly and sadly enough, is transcendent of race as it exists both in Chinese and American societies. When his marriage to Darleen became difficult due to all the additional pressure that came with it rather than talking things through he had affairs. Throughout the novel, whenever Raymond went through a low point in his life he would turn to relationships with women to make himself feel better.
Metaphor for Control
The Night Shift Manager post given to Raymond by his father-in-law wasn’t just a means for Darleen’s father to ensure a comfortable life for his daughter. In giving the post he is also able to exert a considerable amount of influence over him and Darleen. Taking this into consideration one may therefore consider the post as both a metaphor for control and a metaphor for his (Darleen’s Father) inability to let go of his daughter.
Metaphor for Mindless Obedience to Tradition
Raymond’s and Darleen’s marriage was, for lack of a better term, a show for their parents. They both wanted to show their parents that they were dutiful children and that they valued tradition the way their parents did. Their marriage wasn’t just a show it us also a metaphor for their blind adherence to their traditions. Both of them were willing to sacrifice their personal happiness to give their parents what they wanted to see because that was what their parents expected of them.
Metaphor for Identity
Raymond’s many, many romantic entanglements is metaphorical for his identity. Apart from his work, his miseries with his family, and his convoluted romantic involvements there really isn’t much more that can be said about Raymond. In many regards it can be said that he lives only to fulfill the expectations of other people and as such his romantic relationships have become an inextricable part of him that gives him character.
