The Scent of Green Papaya

The scent of Green Papaya symbolizes the role of women in Vietnamese Society in the fifties and sixties. Mui, the main character in this film, serves the family she is working for selflessly. For years and years she respects and honors everything her masters tell her to do. Furthermore, Mui's master is also a symbolization of this role women had in Vietnamese Society. Her husband, the man who is supposed to support the family financially, not only abandons the family but steals all their money and valuables as well. The mother is left to work and support and raise her family and yet her mother-in-law degrades her by telling her that it is her fault that the man of the household abandoned them. This demonstrates how Vietnamese women were never respected or honored regardless of how selfless their actions and lifestyles were. In addition, I believe the role of green papaya in Vietnamese cuisine symbolizes the role of women in Vietnamese society. In Vietnamese cuisine, the majority of the papaya is disposed of after the flesh of the fruit has been used. The Vietnamese neglect all the seeds of the papaya which could have been so fruitfull. Similarly, women in Vietnamese culture are not respected after the men have finished using them. Several scenes the youngest master's attitude toward Mui and her reaction. He continually and purposely creates more work for Mui and she dutifully and peacefully continues to work. In addition, we see one of the brothers droppin hot wax on the ants causing them to suffer and struggle to survive. This reminded me of the thousands of Vietnamese soldiers that were being attacked and struggled to survive. Furthermore, in the end of the film, Mui reads out a poem about the resistance of a Cherry Tree. I believe she was referring to Vietnam's resistance to outsiders. Mui's character is portrayed in the fifties and sixties in Vietnam and Vietnam had already been unstable and exposed to multiple regimes for an extended period of time. Through the expression of this poem, Mui is indicating that no matter what Vietnam goes through, Vietnam is like a Cherry Tree and will not surrender.

Sources: www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/2977
Class Discussion