Culture 5: Asian Pacific American Literature - Laurence Yep

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA:

Yep, Laurence. 2006. THE EARTH DRAGON AWAKES: THE SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE OF 1906. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060275242

PLOT SUMMARY:

This is the story of the devastating and tragic San Francisco earthquake of 1906 as seen from the eyes of two young boys, Henry and Chin. Chin and his father are Chinese immigrants, and Chin’s father works as a “houseboy” for the Travis family. Chin and the Travis’s son, Henry, are close in age and strike up a friendship. Although the boys are from different backgrounds, they have a lot in common and become great friends. All is well until the “Earth Dragon” awakes, unleashing a destructive earthquake that reveals some unlikely heroes. As the boys and their families fight to survive, the boys grow even closer and realize how courageous their fathers are and what is truly important in life.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The story takes place in San Francisco and Chinatown in the year 1906. The setting is significant to the story’s plot because it provides the historical backdrop of the actual San Francisco earthquake of 1906. In addition, the setting provides some major cultural markers for the story as Yep describes and contrasts Chinatown with an actual Chinese village. Through Chin’s eyes, Yep notes that Chinatown is comprised of taller buildings and there are “no tiled roofs or carved windows” like in China. Chin says, “The American buildings look like they are wearing Chinese disguises.” These descriptions and comparisons are important because they touch upon the blending of Chinese and American cultures that many Chinese immigrants face.

The characters and their personal situations in THE EARTH DRAGON AWAKES also serve as significant cultural markers, and Chin and his father, Ah-Sing, add authenticity to the story. Chin’s father is a “houseboy” to a white family, and Chin helps his father out at work. Chin’s father came to America since he could make more money in America than in China, and he sends money back home to China for Chin’s mother and the rest of the family. This arrangement is difficult for Chin and Ah-Sing at times since they miss the rest of the family and China. Although Chin and Ah-Sing could live with the Travis family, they live in Chinatown instead because Ah-Sing “doesn’t want Chin to forget he’s Chinese.” Readers will sympathize with Chin and Ah-Sing, and Yep presents the situation of these characters in a way that will help readers understand the struggles faced by some immigrants.

Language is another cultural marker for the story. The author refers to the fact that although many immigrants in Chinatown come from China, they do not all speak the same dialect. Yep also makes a reference to Chinese words being characters based on pictures, giving young readers insight into the Chinese language.

Some Chinese beliefs and folklore are also touched upon briefly in this story. The title of the story, THE EARTH DRAGON AWAKES, emphasizes the significance of the many references in the story to the “Earth Dragon” that is believed to be angered and shakes the city through an earthquake as a result.

There are several interesting themes interwoven throughout the story that will captivate readers. For example, the idea of unlikely heroes plays a major role in the story. Chin and Henry read comic books and idolize only fictional heroes until they realize that their parents are heroes after the earthquake tragedy. The tragedy brings out the best in some, and it also unfortunately brings out the worst in others. Racism is also touched upon as the Chinese are not allowed to live in the camps next to the white people after the earthquake. Also, the Chinese had a difficult time returning to their homes after the earthquake since some people wanted them to rebuild Chinatown elsewhere.

Yep includes extensive descriptions of the actual earthquake and the resulting fires, and the destruction and devastation are explored through the eyes of the characters. A spectacular afterword includes factual information on the earthquake as well as actual photographs, suggested additional reading, and a list of websites. THE EARTH DRAGON AWAKES is an interesting look at an actual historical tragedy through two young boys’ eyes. The boys are from different worlds, yet they are friends and have a lot in common. This story includes the great messages of friendship, bravery, hope, and rebuilding, and younger elementary students who are ready for chapter books and adults alike will enjoy this story.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:

From BOOKLIST (March 2006):
“In the midst of catastrophe, the boys realize that their fathers are real-life heroes. Henry and Chin's stories are told in alternating chapters with a few interruptions for the insertion of earthquake information. Told in the present tense, the narration provides a "you are there"sense of immediacy and will appeal to readers who enjoy action-packed survival stories.”

From HORN BOOK (July/August 2006):
“Alternating the story of two fictional families with short segments of factual information, Yep creates a frightening sense of immediacy in this docudrama about San Francisco's destruction in the 1906 earthquake and ensuing firestorm…Yep uses the growing friendship between the two boys to underscore pointed discussions of race relations at the time, which works well for the most part.”

From LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION (January 2007):
“Each chapter is marked with the time, date, and location so readers can follow the boys' alternating perspectives. Some chapters present facts about such things as how the earthquake begins and how and where the fires start. These factual chapters flow seamlessly with the rest of the novel and provide much needed background information. The afterword includes Yep's personal connection to the subject, sources for further reading, and photographs. Young readers will find the story engaging and the disaster fascinating, and they will breathe a sigh of relief when the two friends are reunited.”

CONNECTIONS:

Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee 2007-2008

Definitely share the factual afterword with students since they will appreciate seeing the actual photographs showing how powerful the earthquake actually was. Also included in the afterword is a link to the city of San Francisco’s Museum: http://www.sfmuseum.org/. This website includes more detailed information about the earthquake and fire that students might be interested in exploring.

This story might lead to an interesting discussion of heroes and what makes a person a hero. The comparison between the fictional heroes of the comic books read by Chin and Henry and the heroic actions of their fathers following the earthquake can open up the discussion of what makes a hero a hero.