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Human experiences are gained over time through the interaction between people within the society. In different stages of life, people gain different experiences. These experiences can help to shape personal identity, lead to growth and maturity, and change people’s perceptions. The idea of human experience is explored in the novel “The China Coin” written by Allan Baillie. It is about the journey of Leah and her mother- Joan in China to find their extended family. The journey had led Leah to growth and maturity, to identify herself, and to improve her mother and daughter's relationship.
Experiencing different challenges or difficulties will lead people to growth and maturity. In addition, being in and exploring a new experience makes people grow and reach maturity. In the beginning on the way to China, Leah is childish and selfish. This is shown in Leah’s words “Here I am, about to be sold into slavery in the lost mountain of China.” The exaggeration indicates her negativity and reluctance to come to China. She is unable to understand her mother’s motives for traveling to China. However, at the end of the journey, Leah and Joan support each other in their grief for Ke after the Tiananmen Square massacre. This is indicated in “the two women clung together in the back of the crowded truck.” The simple emotive statement reveals that Leah becomes closer to her mother. Moreover, Leah's overcoming emotional conflict has led them to comfort each other; this can be considered as Leah has reached her maturity through the experiences of the journey. Hence, people grow and gain maturity through being in and exploring new experiences.
Being through different experiences helps people to change their perceptions toward others. This can improve a bad relationship and vice versa. Leah and Joan’s relationship is inherently not good because Leah doesn’t understand her mother. This is revealed in “ I have been kidnapped by an evil aunt.” The exaggeration of the “evil aunt” who is Joan indicates that Leah is angry with her mother for bringing her to China. During the period in China, Leah gradually understands her mother. She is developing empathy for Joan’s childhood trauma. Leah’s empathy is reflected in “ For an instant, Leah saw that night through the eyes of a very little girl. Terrible!”. The descriptive language “the eyes of a very little girl” represents Joan herself when she was a kid and in trauma; Leah is looking by her point of view. The emotive words and exclamation “Terrible!” show Leah’s feelings for what her mother had been through. Leah begins to put herself into her mother’s shoes as she begins to understand Joan more through her past. Thus, people change their perceptions towards others through the experiences that they have been through.
Human experience helps to shape people’s identity. It changes the inner conflict of people in identity hence people will be able to identify themselves. Leah doesn’t consider herself Chinese before she comes to China. This is shown in “I’ve never been in China before.” Leah lets a sliver of coldness slip into her voice.” The descriptive language “silver of coldness” reinforces Leah’s offense to being considered Chinese. She also directly states that she does not identify herself as Chinese. However, towards the end of the journey, Leah gradually admits herself as partly Chinese. It is revealed in the internal monologue “No, you’re not Chinese, but you’re not not Chinese either. It doesn’t matter.” The double negative “not not” indicates that Leah accepts that she is partly Chinese. The experiences in China have led Leah to change her perception and identify herself as partly Chinese.
Human experience will lead us to grow and gain maturity, changing perceptions towards others and shaping people’s identity. Leah has grown and reached maturity during her journey in China. In addition, she has changed her perception as well as attitude toward her mother. She has identified herself as partly Chinese, and this shows that the journey in China has helped Leah to shape her identity. In conclusion, each individual has different circumstances that help them to gain human experience.
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