Different Points of View Creates Disagreement

Author’s Note:  This is a point of view analysis of the book Dragonwings by Laurence Yep. The book is written in Moon Shadow’s perspective. The term “aeroplane” is what we call an airplane today.  The book calls it an “aeroplane” because the characters have just moved from China and can’t speak the best English. Look for the point of view of Moon Shadow and  Uncle in this analysis. 

The book Dragonwings is about a little boy named Moon Shadow and his journey to the demon land.  He meets his father for the first time when he arrives, the book describes their journey to create and their own aeroplane and learn to fly.  Though, their journey takes them on a different turn something they did not expect.  They have to move out of the company's building to begin their career in flying. Their decision creates different types of emotions between the members of the company that could be told in different points of view.

           

One way that Moon Shadow’s point of view influences the readers interpretation on the book is his perspective on father wanting to begin a career in flying. Moon Shadow was very excited, and he wanted to help his dad until the end. Moon Shadow explains to his father how he is very excited to help him build the aeroplane. He says:  “Please let me go with you Father. I won’t be any trouble at all, and you’ll need by help.” Father went onto agree with what Moon Shadow said.  “Then together we go” Moon Shadow said as him and his father left to start their career of flying (255). From what Moon Shadow said, the reader could believe that he is very excited about the upcoming future.

However the reader would feel differently about father and Moon Shadow leaving the company if the book was written in the point of view of uncle.  When Moon Shadow was telling uncle that they would be leaving, uncle got very mad.  “Get away from me,” he said.  “I don’t want to ever see you again” (256).  The reader could tell that uncle was confused, hurt, and emotionally upset, for the reason that father was going to leave the company for a second time.   The reader may also think that uncle is an emotional guy who is hurt by his brother leaving again.  Reading the book from uncle’s point of view would make this story completely different. 

                                                                                           

The point of view of a story only allows the reader to see only one side of the story.  In the book Dragonwings,  Moon Shadow’s perspective of wanting to help is father fly is very positive. But if we look at it from uncles side, he is not for the fact that father wants to move out. It is very important to know that point of view of a character because everyone has a different thoughts on a certain situation in a story.  By knowing the point of view of a situation, you can really understand people; not only in books but in real life too.