Chapter 37 Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
That night, the narrator lies in bed, silently crying into a pillow while mourning the loss of their Hong Kong home and all the memories tied to it. They try to hide their tears, but Bowen notices and asks if they're crying. The narrator denies it, squeezing their eyes shut to push away a deeper worry: the fear that they might lose their father too, and that their mother might one day deliver that news casually, as if it were nothing.
Bowen attempts to lighten the mood by stomping his foot under the narrator's mattress, mimicking their grumpy downstairs neighbor. The narrator tells him to stop, then asks if he even cares about losing the apartment. They begin listing the things they used to do there: Nerf gun wars, building forts, and a long train they constructed that stretched from one room to another, passing through the kitchen, with little packets of ketchup placed on it by Lea. Bowen joins in, recalling massive pillow fights where their mother would yell at them to stop, only to have to dig them out from under a pile of pillows—and then get buried herself. Both siblings laugh uncontrollably, and the narrator admits they miss that place.
Bowen sighs and says he misses not being the only Asian kid in his class. The narrator is surprised by this rare moment of openness and stays quiet, afraid to ruin it. Bowen goes on to say he won't miss having to silence Lao Lao's calls on the bus because he doesn't want his friends to hear and think he's a mainlander. The narrator softly asks if someone said something to him, but Bowen says they didn't have to—he just wishes people would realize that they aren't the Chinese government; they're just people. The narrator feels a surge of pride and agreement.
Bowen then rolls over and reminds the narrator that the memories aren't lost—they still have them. The narrator agrees, adding that as long as they can get their father over, they can make new ones. Bowen hopes their mother will get her new job tomorrow, and the narrator echoes that hope. Feeling much better after this heart-to-heart, the narrator almost tells Bowen that he does fit in and that the narrator has his back, but instead, fearing a snappy retort, he simply says, “Don't fart tonight.” They both go to sleep.
Key Events
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The narrator cries over losing their Hong Kong home and worries about losing their father.
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Bowen notices and tries to comfort them by recalling the grumpy neighbor.
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The siblings share cherished memories: Nerf gun wars, forts, a ketchup-packet train, and pillow fights.
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Bowen reveals he misses not being the only Asian kid in class and that he silenced Lao Lao's calls on the bus to avoid being seen as a mainlander.
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Bowen expresses a wish that people understood they aren't the Chinese government.
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Bowen reassures the narrator that memories remain and they can make new ones once their father arrives.
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Both hope their mother gets her new job the next day.
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The narrator almost tells Bowen he fits in but instead says “Don't fart tonight.”
Character Development
This chapter is a quiet but significant turning point for both siblings. The narrator, who often feels like the odd one out, shows vulnerability by crying and then opening up about their fears. They also demonstrate growing empathy, wanting to say something meaningful to Bowen but holding back out of fear of rejection. The narrator's final choice to deflect with a joke reveals both their immaturity and their deep care for their brother.
Bowen, who has been distant and sometimes dismissive, finally lets his guard down. He admits he misses being around other Asian kids and reveals the painful reality of having to hide his grandmother's calls to avoid being labeled a mainlander. This confession shows that Bowen has been carrying the weight of prejudice and identity struggles on his own. His wish that people see them as individuals rather than as representatives of the Chinese government highlights his desire to be understood. By reminding the narrator that memories are still theirs, Bowen steps into a comforting, almost protective role, showing a softer side that the narrator rarely sees.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Loss of Home and Memory – The apartment in Hong Kong symbolizes the family's past and the life they left behind. The siblings' shared recollections show that while the physical space is gone, the emotional bonds and experiences remain.
Sibling Heart-to-Heart – The chapter centers on a rare, honest conversation between the brothers. Their exchange bridges the distance that has grown between them, reinforcing the theme of family connection.
Asian Identity and Prejudice – Bowen's comments about being the only Asian kid and silencing Lao Lao's calls reveal the pressure to assimilate and the sting of stereotyping. His plea that they aren't the Chinese government speaks to the broader experience of being judged by others' assumptions.
Hope for Reunion – The repeated hope that their mother will get the job and that their father will join them points to the family's desire to rebuild and create new memories. This forward-looking optimism balances the chapter's sadness.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 37 is a pivotal moment in the novel because it deepens the relationship between the narrator and Bowen. Up to this point, Bowen has often been portrayed as distant or dismissive, but here he reveals his own struggles with identity and belonging. This vulnerability allows the narrator to see their brother in a new light and strengthens their bond. The chapter also reinforces key themes of loss, memory, and hope, setting up the family's next steps. By ending with the narrator's almost-confession and the joke about farting, the chapter captures the bittersweet reality of sibling love—where deep feelings are often hidden behind humor.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does the narrator initially deny crying when Bowen asks?
The narrator is embarrassed and doesn't want to appear weak, especially in front of their older brother. They also want to avoid a conversation about their fears, particularly the worry about losing their father.
2. What does Bowen's confession about silencing Lao Lao's calls reveal about his character?
It shows that Bowen has been struggling with his identity and feels the need to hide parts of his culture to fit in. It also reveals that he is aware of prejudice and wishes people would see him as an individual, not as a representative of the Chinese government.
3. How does the chapter balance sadness with hope?
The sadness comes from the loss of the Hong Kong home and the fear of losing their father. The hope comes from Bowen's reminder that memories remain, the possibility of making new ones, and the shared hope that their mother will get the job so their father can join them. The chapter ends on a light note, showing that even in difficult times, the siblings can find comfort in each other.