Response to Ribbons

There are outstanding examples of symbolism and deeper meaning in the short story “Ribbons” by Laurence Yep. In Chinese culture, it used to be that when girls were five, they would bind their feet with ribbons, which would curl their toes under their feet, and in doing so, enable them to fit into the “cute” shoes. In the story, Laurence shows the clash between old Chinese culture and Stacy’s passion, which is ballet.

Throughout the story, Grandma shows tough love to Stacy, and although Stacy doesn't know it, it is because she doesn't want Stacy to go through the same pain she does every day. The ribbons also symbolize how something so innocent-looking on the outside can mean something so horrible to someone else – just like too many things in life.

Even if people seem mean to you at first, sometimes if you dig deeper, you’ll find their tough love is because they love and care about you. The story also reflects that some things in life aren't what they seem, and that so many things in life have deeper meanings – for good or for worse.