Little Lu in Big China
Key concepts to talk about:
how closed off china has become post pandemic.
The fact that little kids, even in big cities, have seen almost no foreigners. Loved to take photos with me
how different yet similar everything is.
Meeting family and the style of dinner that is customary
the only method of communication Aprils family had, food and beer
I don’t like the big tourist destination, I learn more and experience more by just walking around.
Prices are baffling, some are incredibly cheap like a single USD will get you a cab half way across town, but a coffee still cost 5 busk US.
oh and about coffee, the coffee shops don’t open early but stay open late.
Far less people spoke English than I was led to believe. I met only a few on my travels. After the trip I realized that I had only really spoken to April for the past two week. All other communication was second hand, either through app or translation. Some still resulted in a more that surface level connection, I.E. some of the people we met at bars, but others never made it far.
The quality of the food was beyond expectations
The heat was emotionally taxing and the main limiting factor
Driving was frightening
the servalence provided an extreme level of security but also an ominous Orwellian backdrop to all our activities.
in stark contrast to our Oakland home and total lack of governmental control
The extreme difficulty of existence due to all tracking going through phone and its connected accounts. Real Name ID accounts.
Fancy coffee. Race to the bottom. Very good service. High end equipment. Specialized stores. Only star bucks reserves.
Chinese cars, development of middle and upper class. Development of technological and mechanical independence. China realized after America took everything back from Russia that they couldn’t do it themselves, so china now want to make sure they can do it all themselves.
Lasting western influence in Qingdao via the beer factories and churches. Exploring old town.
My first time out of the country, and all the steps it took to get there.
Themes
1. Self-Discovery and Personal Growth
This has to be about myself, but also for the stand-ins for the lion, scarecrow, and tin man. Each must be presented one way, and then change as the story goes on. Or my perception of them changes as the story goes on.
This can also be about connection to my wife and my wife’s family.
2. The Illusion of Power and Authority
This one could be a bit tricky. Chat says it could be about realizing that the power to change comes not though external sources, but internal. That the world has little power over me. But… I can also make it political. Talking about communism and the control it has on its citizens.
3. The Importance of Companionship and Collaboration
Most obvious option is that I cannot communicate or even get around it it weren’t for my wife, who acts as tour guide, translator, and host.
4. The Value of Home and Belonging
While we are out and about for so long, we also eventually look for the comfort of home.
5. Courage and Overcoming Fear
In the movie, this happens at the end, with the lion character. Maybe for our story it could be April getting on a bike and peddling around the city?
6. The Power of Belief and Inner Strength
In the movie, the concepts represented by the three side characters are found internally. Perhaps I can find a way to mirror that here.
7. The Journey as a Metaphor for Life
As long as I can make it into an arch, I think I should be good.
Act I
Opening Scene: The Ordinary World
Parallel:
I would play the role of Dorthy
Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are like my work and money. Things that add stability to my life. Comfort.
The story begins in Kansas, where Dorothy lives with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry on a small farm. Life is mundane, filled with simple chores and daily routines.
Dorothy : The protagonist, feeling restless and yearning for something more.
Aunt Em and Uncle Henry: Caretakers who represent the stability and simplicity of home life.
Toto: Dorothy’s loyal dog, symbolizing companionship.
The Call to Adventure
Dorothy’s world is disrupted by the arrival of Miss Gulch, who threatens to take Toto away. Dorothy decides to run away from home, seeking a different life.
April leaves, I stay.
Fear of loosing job, not enough money. There is a refusal of adventure.
Crossing the Threshold
In the book, it’s a tornado, in real life its frustration around a lack of communication at work. I’m reluctant tho, fearful of what will lhappen, to my career, to my stability, to my future, to my relationship. I’m unsure of what awaits me. I know very little of the world that awaits me.
The New World: Arrival in Oz
Parallel:
April could represent Glinda, as the guides and protects me.
I land in Qingdao, my first time out of America. Somethings seem so totally foreign, yet others seem so familiar.
I finally meet Aprils parents for the first time. (Symbolic killing of the wicked witch of the East)
Dorothy arrives in the colorful and magical land of Oz, where she encounters the Munchkins and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. She is informed that her house has landed on the Wicked Witch of the East, killing her and freeing the Munchkins.
Characters: Munchkins, Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, Wicked Witch of the East
The Quest Begins: The Yellow Brick Road
Parallel:
Perhaps this is where we start day one actually in Qingdao? walking out of the apartment, seeing for the first time in daylight a whole new world.
Typically I like to go out walking by myself, but seeing as there is nothing in this world I can understand, I go with April.
In the movie, they are set off on a destination, to the emerald city, to find a way home. What is my destination? I think for me it’s photography? taking photos and creating a body of work about my trip?
I also need a parallel for the scarecrow. who only needs a brain. (Search for knowledge)
Starts towards the emerald city, on a journey to get home, quickly meets the scarecrow who needs a brain.
the road symbolizes the path of growth and discovery.
Collaboration is a key theme of this section.
Act II
Meeting the Companions: Building the Team
Parallel:
I think we can find symbolic standing for these two characters as well. Tin man and Cowardly Lion. I don’t know if I can use literal people for these characters. Perhaps they can be internal character aspects of myself or April. Or social constructs.
April says the could be the tin man, because she needs a hear to care for her parents. But I don’t really like that.
It could be something like… the lion and tin man both represent capitalism and communism? the systems that we both grew up with and that divide our nations.
the freedom, and all dangers that come with it, vs the lack of freedom, and all the security that comes with it. perhaps something like that.
Dorothy continues on the Yellow Brick Road and meets the Tin Man, who wishes for a heart, and the Cowardly Lion, who wishes for courage. They all decide to accompany Dorothy to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard for their respective desires.
meets the lion and tin man.
The Search for Inner Qualities: The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion each seek something they believe they lack.
The Journey and the Challenges: Facing Obstacles
Parallel:
This could maybe be a section where I face some culture shock?
Or maybe I face my first realization that getting the photos I want may be harder than I thought. Over stimulated and over saturated. Feeling a fish out of water
The group faces various obstacles on their journey, including a haunted forest, dangerous creatures, and the Wicked Witch of the West, who tries to thwart their progress. The Witch sends flying monkeys to capture Dorothy and her companions.
Courage Under Pressure: The Cowardly Lion’s journey, in particular, emphasizes the theme of courage.
The Emerald City: The Illusion of Fulfillment
Parallel:
Perhaps the illusion of fulfillment could be very clearly illustrated via the gear acquisition syndrome. Shooting lots of film and buying a new lens must equal great photos.
but I don’t really want to make the story about that. perhaps we make this about the big tourist locations? like the Great Wall and the Forbidden city? I can talk about how I got a far better idea of what china is by walking around and talking to people than I did form the stress and anxiety caused by going to these locations.
The group finally arrives at the Emerald City and meets the Wizard, who is initially imposing and mysterious. The Wizard agrees to grant their wishes, but only if they bring him the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West.
The Wizard: Initially seen as a powerful figure who holds the key to their desires but is later revealed to be more ordinary and deceptive.
The Illusion of Power and Control: The Wizard represents the idea that what we seek externally may not be as powerful or fulfilling as we believe.
Conditional Promises: The Wizard’s demand that they defeat the Wicked Witch before he grants their wishes introduces the theme of conditionality—often, in life, what we seek is tied to the completion of certain challenges or tasks.
The Darkest Moment: Captured by the Wicked Witch
Parallel:
Perhaps this should be the emotional part where April had the problems getting into the Forbidden city. A culmination of weeks of effort and frustration? An affirmation of the seemingly flawed system the Chinese have constructed for its citizens that makes it very difficult for outsiders to operate.
The group sets out to confront the Wicked Witch of the West. After a series of harrowing events, they are captured by the Witch’s minions. Dorothy is imprisoned, and it seems like all hope is lost.
Wicked Witch of the West: Represents the ultimate challenge or fear that must be overcome.
The Need for Resilience: Even in the darkest moments, the characters (and you) must find the strength to keep going. This reflects the theme of resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
The Turning Point: Defeating the Wicked Witch
Parallel:
We make it in, and we see the sights. But the day ends up being cut short anyways by rain, leading to an even more stressful night.
But we get over it
Dorothy, in a moment of desperation, throws a bucket of water on the Wicked Witch, causing her to melt and thus defeating her. The group retrieves the broomstick and returns to the Emerald City.
Wicked Witch of the West: Her defeat symbolizes the overcoming of the greatest fear or challenge.
Unexpected Solutions: The simplicity of the Witch’s defeat (water) highlights that sometimes, the solutions to our greatest challenges are simpler than we imagine. This could parallel a moment in your journey where a significant problem is resolved in an unexpected, perhaps even mundane, way.
Empowerment Through Action: Dorothy’s act of defeating the Witch represents taking control of one’s destiny.
Act III
The Return to the Emerald City: The Deception Revealed
Parallel:
Maybe this is what happens during the night ride. We realize that it’s up to us to make these journeys great. Our own two feet carry us where we want to go. No more will I rely on big tourism and what not for gratification.
After defeating the Wicked Witch of the West, Dorothy and her companions return to the Emerald City with the Witch’s broomstick, expecting the Wizard to grant their wishes. However, they discover that the Wizard is just an ordinary man hiding behind a curtain, using tricks to appear powerful.
The Wizard: Revealed as a charlatan who has been using illusions to maintain his authority.
The Illusion of Power: The revelation that the Wizard is not all-powerful highlights the theme that sometimes, the solutions or authorities we look up to are not as potent as we believe.
Self-Reliance: The realization that the Wizard cannot grant their wishes forces Dorothy and her companions to look within themselves to find the qualities they sought.
Granting the Wishes: The Realization of Inner Strength
Parallel:
This is where whatever themes, ideas, or people I tie to the three characters need to be wrapped up
Despite the Wizard’s deception, he helps Dorothy’s companions realize that they already possess the qualities they were seeking. The Scarecrow discovers his intelligence, the Tin Man his capacity for love, and the Cowardly Lion his courage.
Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion: Each realizes that they already had what they were seeking all along.
The Power of Belief: This part of the story emphasizes the idea that believing in oneself is key to unlocking one’s true potential.
Transformation Through Experience: The journey itself has transformed the characters, allowing them to recognize their strengths.
The Hot Air Balloon: An Attempt to Return Home
Parallel:
I honestly don’t even remember this in the book
The Wizard offers to take Dorothy back to Kansas in a hot air balloon. However, the plan goes awry when Toto jumps out, and Dorothy chases after him, missing the balloon.
The Elusiveness of Resolution: Just when it seems like a solution is at hand, something unexpected happens, delaying the resolution.
Commitment to the Journey: Dorothy’s decision to chase Toto, despite it meaning missing the balloon, shows her deep bond and commitment.
The Return Home: The Power of the Ruby Slippers
Parallel:
The power for adventure was in us all along. A bit of a flash back to the cool things we did along the way and what all we learned.
Glinda the Good Witch reappears and tells Dorothy that she has always had the power to return home, through the Ruby Slippers. Dorothy clicks her heels together and is transported back to Kansas.
Inner Power and Self-Discovery: The revelation that Dorothy had the power to return home all along reinforces the theme of inner strength and self-reliance.
The Return to the Ordinary World: Returning home symbolizes the end of the adventure and the reintegration of the lessons learned into everyday life.
The Ordinary World Revisited: Back in Kansas
Parallel:
Back home, but with a new appreciation of life.
Dorothy wakes up in her bed in Kansas, surrounded by her family. The entire experience in Oz seems like a dream, but she has been profoundly changed by it. She now appreciates her home and the people around her more than ever.
Aunt Em and Uncle Henry: Represent the stability and comfort of home.
The Hero’s Return: This final scene reflects the classic theme of the hero’s return, where the protagonist comes back to their ordinary world, changed by the experiences of the journey.
Gratitude and Perspective: Dorothy’s newfound appreciation for her home and family represents the theme of seeing one’s life with fresh eyes.