Characters In Saving Sourdi

English M102: Literature and Composition

19 September 2016

Character Analysis Essay “Saving Sourdi” by May-Lee Chai

“Saving Sourdi” by May-Lee Chai, discusses the transformation from childhood to adulthood. This short story involves two sisters, Sourdi and Nea, that are complete opposite of one another. When reading “Saving Sourdi” I instantly perceived Nea to be an impulsive child who isn’t afraid of confrontation. It doesn’t seem like Nea is trying to prove herself to anyone and appears to be very stubborn. While reading this short story, Nea, is genuinely concerned about her sister. It might seem as though Nea is a trouble maker and doesn’t carefully think things through, but she truly cares for Sourdi. Nea and Sourdi are some years apart,

From the beginning of the story to the end Nea is pigheaded and doesn’t think about the consequences of her actions. Nea misconceives Sourdi’s unavailability for being in danger and unhappiness in her marriage when in actuality she’s happy and expecting another child. Sourdi is a dynamic character because she shows growth throughout the story. Though subtle, Sourdi shows courage when she marries her much older husband not knowing what to expect, but hoping he can provide a more satisfying life. She becomes independent, no longer leaning on the support of her relatives and starts a family of her own. Nea, is a static character, showing no growth or development. She doesn't learn from any of her mistakes. She displays her controlling behaviors by continuing to make hasty decisions. For example, when she spontaneously calls Duke to drive to Sourdi’s house based only on assumptions yelling “Duke! It’s important! It’s Sourdi, she’s in trouble.” (Meyer 91) Nea does not make any adjustments to change her sporadic behaviors causing her to view every situation that doesn’t go as planned in a negative

Chhay is the cultivation of Nea’s ill thought out plan crumbling before her eyes. Her immaturity caused an easily avoidable confrontation. Near the very end of the story, Chai shares Nea’s insight on her situation. “Sourdi looked at me then, so disappointed. I knew what she was thinking. She has grown up, and I had merely grown unworthy of her love.” (83) Nea finally realized she was being foolish the whole time. Chai’s protagonist in “Saving Sourdi”, Nea, is naïve, impulsive, and brash. She is unchanging and narrow-minded. Nea’s journey seems solely based on saving her sister when in actuality she is trying to find excuses to avoid growing up. The tragic hero fabricates false dangers to compensate her desire to be needed by her sister who has moved on with her life. Nea feels abandoned becausen Sourdi matures while she remains a child. Ma and Sourdi remain connected with traditional customs that Nea simply cannot understand due to her exposure to American culture. Her over active imagination, anxiety, and aggression get her into trouble. When Nea tries to rescue Sourdi from her husband, it is the last straw and she knows that she has lost her dear older sister for good. “She had made her choice, and she hadn’t chosen me.” (84) Sourdi has matured and moved on while Nea is stuck in the memories of her