The Butterfly Effect

The Butterfly Effect      

       A butterfly flapping its wings can cause a hurricane on the other side of the world. This concept of the “butterfly effect” describes how even the smallest of actions can have huge consequences. Authors have focused on this topic for years. Celeste Ng uses these small interactions with big consequences in her novel Everything I Never Told You . The novel follows the lives of the Lee family, a family of mixed race Asian Americans in the 70’s. The plot centers around the change in climate after the death of the middle child, 16 year old Lydia.  As the family discovers the factors --- big and small --- that led to her death, readers begin to see more about the Lee’s family situation. Ng encourages readers to analyze the themes of miscommunication, resentment, and singularity, through her description of her character's interactions. With this Ng prompts readers to be critical about how big or small of a role these factors play in their own lives.

          Resentment is a major concern in households around the world. Often parents and children can miscommunicate their love and care for each other. Ng creates an environment in Everything I Never Told You that fans the flames of this resentment within the Lee family. A visible resentment exists between Nath, the eldest and only son, and the rest of his family members. Nath’s mother, earlier in the novel abandoned her family for nine weeks in an attempt to get a college education. She had dissapeared and when she returned she altered the family atmosphere. A new development since her return home was that she had a favorite child, Lydia, and paid little attention to Nath. Ng writes,

“It was the first time she had really looked at him since she came home… Then, before he could say a word, Lydia padded down the steps, and his mother’s attention flitted away…” (Ng 266-7). 

This quote highlights the resentment Nath developed for both Lydia and his mother: He resents his mother for refusing to show the love and affection he craves; he resents Lydia for existing and taking all of his parents affection and attention. Nath reflects on this while looking out over the lake to other houses. Nath thinks,

“Those mothers had never gone far away and left their children behind. Those fathers had never slapped their children or kicked over the television or laughed at them”(Ng 269). 

Ng creates a sense of built up frustration and anger in this monologue from Nath. The absence of commas when describing Mr. Lee hastens the pace and displays how his father’s abuse traumatized Nath. As a result of his father’s dismissal of his passions, Nath experiences this situation with his guidance counselor. Ng describes,

“‘Outer space.’ Mrs. Hendrich had clicked her pen twice, in-out, and he thought she was going to laugh…” (Ng 292). 

Since a young age, Nath had been obsessed with Space. He had voiced this newfound obsession to his parents only to have them ignore him and focus their attention on Lydia. Nath’s father strongly dissaproved of his passion because of his father’s intent on his son avoiding Asian stereotypes. This fear of constant disapproval has followed Nath throughout his life, affecting all aspects of his character. Resentment between family members is a real issue, but one that can be avoided with clear communication.