The Road Home is a simple yet beautiful love story. So
different from a Hollywood depiction of what love is. This film captivated its
audience and left them wanting more. In the beginning we meet Di. She is a
sweet, quiet, and is full of life young woman. At the arrival of the new
village school teacher, Mr. Luo, Di falls in love at first sight. With her
charming spirit she is determined to get her man. The story unfolds and you can’t
help but cheer her on. Their courtship plays out also like a game of cat and
mouse. Di is constantly chasing Luo wanting his attention. Soon after much
effort Di receives a token of Luo’s affection in return, a barrette. This
black, white, and red barrette is the most beautiful thing Di has ever seen but
in more ways than you would expect. You see this barrette isn’t just a barrette
it is a symbol. First, it is a symbol of Luo’s feeling towards her. This is the
first time he made a move and did something just for Di to win her approval and
love. He gives her this gift right before he has to leave to go back to the
city for a while. He didn’t want to leave without her having something to
remember him by. Whenever she saw this barrette she would think of him. It kept
him alive in her heart as she waited and waited for his return to the village. The
barrette also has symbolism based on its colors. The barrette is black, red,
and white. Although these colors may seem irreverent that couldn’t be further
from the truth. I believe these colors were chosen for a reason. Colors in
Chinese culture have different meanings. Black is known as the color of heaven,
red is happiness and joy, and white stands for brightness and purity. I think
these colors are a perfect representation of the love and Di and Lou shared.
This was an exquisite film bursting with symbolism and the hope and passion of love
that lasted a lifetime.
This is a lovely reflection on The Road Home. You comment on characters, plot, and themes, and then focus on the symbol of the barrette. Love the still shot you included!
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteI like how right away in your analysis of the movie you noted that the depiction of Di and Luo's love is very different than what Hollywood's would be. I could not agree with you more. It seemed like the couple's struggles and happiness were genuinely portrayed, compared to some of the outlandish and seemingly impossible scenarios of the relationships we see in Hollywood movies today. As you noted, this love story is simple, but heart warming, leaving viewers cheering on and wishing the best for the couple for the whole film. It would have only made it better to see more of what their life entailed for the forty years that us viewers were not shown.
Haley