This passage illustrates the types of problems Chinese immigrants faced in the early 1900s through several key elements:
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Discrimination and Hostility: The boys throwing rocks at the narrator and his father signify the blatant racism and hostility that Chinese immigrants encountered in America. Their actions demonstrate how immigrants were often targets of violence and bullying, simply because of their ethnicity.
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Fear and Safety: The narrator's feeling of safety when with his father contrasts sharply with the threat posed by the demon boys. This highlights the precariousness of immigrant life, where despite a sense of security from family, the outside world remained dangerous and filled with prejudice.
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Otherness and Identity: The narrator refers to the boys as "demons" instead of identifying them as fellow Americans. This choice of language underscores the alienation that Chinese immigrants felt. They were often seen as outsiders or "the other," creating a sense of division between them and the broader society.
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Coping Mechanisms: The father's reaction—whispering to his son to sit up straight and not show fear—illustrates how immigrants had to navigate a hostile environment. Instead of confronting the aggression, they were often forced to endure it silently, which reflects the survival strategies that marginalized groups adopt in the face of discrimination.
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Cultural Signifiers: The horse's name, Red Rabbit, symbolizes a connection to their cultural heritage. It contrasts with the Americanness of their surroundings, indicating that while they were physically in America, their identities were still rooted in their Chinese background.
Overall, these elements collectively showcase the challenges faced by Chinese immigrants in early 20th century America, highlighting themes of racism, identity, family dynamics, and the need to cope with external threats.