The paragraph I chose is “The cruelest walls are made of glass, Ma. I had the urge to break through the pane and leap out the window” (pg 24).
This paragraph comes after the main character, Little Dog was made fun of by another boy who is implied to be caucasion. In this moment he feels alienated because of his Vietnamese background sets him apart from other boys. Therefore, the metaphorical “glass wall” represents the boundary he feels he cannot overcome, yet he can see through and get close to crossing it. It represents the implicit, invisible boundaries between the two worlds Little Dog is apart of. It also draws attention to the illusion of belonging in society. Little Dog is close to belonging in both worlds, yet this sense of belonging is fragile like glass. Little Dog expresses his desire to break free of these boundaries and roles he has been forced into by breaking the glass and leaping “out the window”. This would break the boundaries and free him of the expectations of others, allowing him to feel like he belongs.