Lae Choo

In the opening paragraphs of Sui Sin Far's work, the writer purposefully excludes names but solely explains the characters as "The Little One" (545) and "his mother" (545).  In fact, Far characterizes the two as almost one being: one a part of the other.  However, Lae Choo, "accustomed to obedience she yielded the boy" (546) to her husband and ultimately the customs agents.  While the struggles of immigrants and racism appear through out the work, I was more struck by Lae Choo and her representation of a Chinese woman.  Hom Hing desired that his son be born in China and off went Lae Choo to comply.  Lae Choo spent about two years in a different country from her husband to alone birth their child then ultimately tend to her husband's dying parents.  Once those duties expired, she once again had to return to her husband.  Even before the Little One is taken, Lae Choo jumps through the hoops set up for her.  Once customs takes the Little One, both Lae Choo and Hom Hing must jump through the hoops of the government.  Hence, the Chinese immigrants are almost degraded to the level of their own women.  Lae Choo's life was obedience and caring for those in need of her services.  When her son is lost to her, Lae Choo similarly loses herself; she deteriorates to "listless, wan, and hollow-eyed" (549).  Hom Hing and Lae Choo must rely on the unsentimental lawyer; they themselves are unable to free their son.  Ultimately, they are unable to free themselves when the now Kim bade his mother "Go'way, go'way!" (551).  Ultimately, they are powerless.  Ultimately, Lae Choo was always powerless.  What does Lae Choo's demeanor and actions expose about Chinese women (immigrant or not)?