Philosopher King - At the Western Palace

In the fourth chapter of The Woman Warrior there are many themes that can be identified. I will identify some of those major themes as I play the role of philosopher king.

Food: This theme was also evident in the past chapter, Shaman, when they talked about how eaters were in heroes. In this chapter, however, this theme can first be seen when Brave Orchid is waiting at the airport for her sister to arrive. The book says, "On the floor she had two shopping bags full of canned peaches, real peaches, beans wrapped in taro leaves, cookies, Thermos bottles, enough food for everybody," (Hong Kingston 113). Brave Orchid brought a lot of food to the airport with her because food and eating is very important to her since eaters are heroes. Also once Moon Orchid, Brave Orchid's sister, arrives to Brave Orchid's home they cook a great feast with more than enough food for everybody.

111 Degrees: In the Shaman chapter it was mentioned that when the laundry reached 111 degrees, the family would sit around and tell stories. In this chapter, when the temperature of laundromat reached 111 degrees Brave Orchid would go outside and eat lunch with Moon Orchid, who would sit on an apple crate outside.

Women Less Superior than Men: The fact that Moon Orchid's husband married another woman and didn't send for her. Shows that men were more superior. The whole time that Moon Orchid was in China alone, she never remarried. This is because it wasn't allowed for women to have two husbands in China, but it was acceptable for men to have two wives in China. In American it is not allowed for men or women to have two spouses.

Traveling: Moon Orchid traveled about four times throughout this chapter. One time on a plane from China to America. Another time was when Brave Orchid's son drove Moon Orchid, Moon Orchid's daughter, and Brave Orchid to LA. The purpose of this trip was so that Moon Orchid's daughter could return to her immediate family and so that Moon Orchid could confront her husband after all the years. The third time that Moon Orchid travels is when she goes back to Brave Orchid's. She returns to Brave Orchid's house because she believes that some Mexican ghosts are trying to kill her in LA. The last time that she travels is when she makes the journey to a California state mental asylum.

Brave Orchid's Soft Side: This theme has only been evident two times in this book. The first time was at the end of Shaman when she talks about how she is sad that her children don't live at home anymore. The second time is at the end of this chapter. She shows her soft side when Moon Orchid returns from LA, when she thinks that some Mexican ghosts are plotting to kill her. This tenderness is evident because she skips work to protect her sister, cries when she tries to comfort her crazy sister, comforts her sister numerous times, holds hands with her sister when she first arrives back from LA, and performs many healing chants to bring her sister's soul back from wandering.