The Scent of Green Papaya

The Scent of Green Papaya 1994

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Plot Summary


A young girl named Mùi finds herself in the role of a servant for a family in pre-unification Saigon (1951), which, despite its former wealth, is now slipping into genteel poverty, largely due to the husband’s reckless spending and unfaithfulness. The family’s financial stability hinges on the wife’s modest fabric and textile shop. The husband’s widowed mother, an invalid who rarely leaves her upstairs room, constantly blames her daughter-in-law, insisting, > “You have a man, but you don’t know how to keep him happy.” The family dynamics are strained: the eldest son prefers the company of friends, the bookish middle son finds amusement in tormenting insects, and the youngest son idolizes his father while displaying willful and disruptive behavior, often filled with resentment. In contrast, Mùi is a figure of peace and deep curiosity about the world around her. The wife, who once lost a young daughter during one of her husband’s frequent absences, shows kindness to Mùi, treating her as if she were her own child.

When the husband embarks on his fourth and ultimately final disappearance, he absconds with his wife’s scant savings and jewelry. His absence stretches long enough that the family faces severe hunger and deprivation. Upon his return, he brings back some of the stolen jewelry, but soon collapses after arriving home. In a desperate bid to prepare for his medical needs, the wife sells an heirloom vase and other cherished items, prompting a doctor to be called. While Mùi witnesses the doctor treating her husband with acupuncture, friendly musicians play cheerful tunes outside the room. Yet, when he passes away, the wife faints, leaving the family in shock and despair.

Fast forward ten years, the family has continued to deteriorate; two of the sons have left, and the wife has taken on the role of the grandmother, now tragic and rarely seen. On the family shrine, the photographs of the grandmother and the husband now share space with others who have departed. It’s deemed that the family can no longer afford Mùi’s services. With a heavy heart, the wife gifts Mùi a silk dress and some gold jewelry before she moves on to work for the wealthy friend of her eldest son, who has become a concert pianist engaged to be married. However, he appears to be more enamored with his piano than with his lavish fiancée.

One fateful night, while the fiancée babbles on, the pianist’s playing takes on a stormy intensity as he tries to ignore her. After she leaves, intending to spy through the window, she witnesses something extraordinary: when Mùi enters the room, the pianist’s music transforms into a blend of passion and tranquility. Later that night, he discreetly visits Mùi in her quarters and shuts the door behind him. When the fiancée discovers this, filled with rage, she slaps Mùi, damages some of the pianist’s belongings, and leaves her engagement ring on a table. Upon returning, he nonchalantly picks up the ring, and their secret connection grows deeper as he begins teaching Mùi how to read and write. In the poignant final scene, a visibly pregnant Mùi is seen reading poetry to him, her face adorned with a radiant smile.

Timeline


Mùi's Arrival

Mùi arrives at the household in pre-unification Saigon, taking on the role of a servant for the struggling family. The family's former wealth has diminished, largely due to the husband's irresponsible behavior and the wife's attempt to maintain a modest living through her fabric shop.

1951 Saigon

Strained Family Dynamics

The family's dynamic is complicated with the husband’s widowed mother constantly criticizing the wife. Meanwhile, the three sons exhibit their own unique issues, from rebellion to indifference, creating a tense atmosphere within the household.

The Husband's Disappearance

The husband goes missing for the fourth time, taking with him his wife’s savings and jewelry. His absence plunges the family into a state of desperation, as they begin to face hunger and poverty.

The Husband Returns

When the husband eventually returns, he brings back a portion of the stolen items. However, he collapses right after arriving home, leading the family to panic and concern over his health.

Desperate Measures

In a bid to provide medical assistance for her husband, the wife sells cherished family heirlooms, including a valued vase. The doctor is summoned to treat the ailing husband, but the atmosphere is heavy with anxiety and grief.

Tragic Loss

Despite efforts to save him, the husband passes away, leaving the family devastated. The wife faints upon receiving the news, causing a ripple of despair throughout the household as they grapple with their loss.

The Family's Decline

Ten years have passed, and the family continues its downward spiral. Two sons have left home, leaving the wife to take on the image of a tragic grandmother, rarely seen, and mourning the family's blighted legacy.

Ten years later

Mùi's Departure

The family can no longer afford Mùi's services, prompting the wife to part with her. With a heavy heart, she gifts Mùi a silk dress and some jewelry before Mùi moves on to work for the well-off friend of her eldest son.

The Pianist's Engagement

Mùi begins working for the eldest son, who has become a concert pianist engaged to a lavish fiancée. However, he appears to be emotionally distant, more attuned to his music than his forthcoming wedding.

A Night of Transformation

During a fateful night filled with tension, the fiancée discovers Mùi entering the room where the pianist plays. The music changes dramatically, reflecting the deepening connection between Mùi and the pianist, marking a pivotal moment in their relationship.

Conflict and Connection

Following the pianist’s secret visit to Mùi, the fiancée confronts her in a fit of rage, slapping her and leaving behind her engagement ring. This confrontation only serves to deepen the bond between Mùi and the pianist as they navigate their newfound feelings.

Learning to Read

As their relationship blossoms, the pianist takes it upon himself to teach Mùi how to read and write. This learning process symbolizes hope and a new beginning for Mùi, who longs for a life beyond servitude.

Mùi's Joyful Transformation

In a beautifully poignant final scene, Mùi, now visibly pregnant, is seen reading poetry to the pianist. Her face radiates joy and fulfillment, representing her transformative journey from servant to a loved companion, embodying dreams of a brighter future.

Characters


Mùi

Mùi is a young, curious girl serving a family in Saigon, whose innocence contrasts sharply with the complexities of her employers' lives. She embodies tranquility and peace, often providing emotional relief amidst familial chaos. Over time, she grows from a mere servant to a significant influence in the life of a concert pianist, reflecting her evolution and inner strength.

🌱 Growth 🎶 Music 💔 Innocence

The Wife

The Wife is depicted as a tragic figure, burdened by her husband's reckless behavior and their family's decline. She demonstrates resilience and kindness, treating Mùi as her own child, which highlights her nurturing qualities. As the family's circumstances deteriorate, her transformation into a grandmother showcases the heavy toll of loss and responsibility she bears.

💔 Sacrifice 🎭 Tragedy 👶 Motherhood

The Pianist

The Pianist is a talented young man deeply engrossed in his music, which reveals his complex emotional landscape. Despite his engagement, his connection with Mùi introduces a conflict between social expectations and personal desires. Through their interactions, he grows as an individual, showcasing a blend of passion and vulnerability.

🎹 Passion 💔 Conflict 💭 Dreamer

Setting


Time period

1951

The film is set in 1951 during a tumultuous time in Vietnam's history, leading up to the country's eventual unification. This period was characterized by political unrest and social changes that affected the daily lives of families, as depicted in the narrative. The events that unfold against this backdrop illustrate the emotional and economic challenges faced by individuals and families.

Location

Saigon

Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City, is a vibrant urban center in Vietnam rich in history. In the 1950s, it was a city marked by its cultural complexity, transitioning from wealth to genteel poverty due to socio-economic challenges. Once a bustling hub of trade and luxury, it became a backdrop for the familial struggles and dynamics in 'The Scent of Green Papaya.'

🇻🇳 Vietnam 🏙️ Urban 💔 Genteel Poverty

Themes


💔

Family Struggles

The theme of family struggles runs deeply throughout the film, highlighting the challenges faced by the characters in navigating their relationships and financial difficulties. Tensions between family members manifest in their interactions and decisions, particularly between the wife and her husband, as well as among the children. Ultimately, these dynamics showcase the impacts of love, loss, and resilience within the family unit.

🎹

Hidden Passions

Hidden passions underscore the emotional undertones of the story, especially through the character of Mùi and her connection with the pianist. Their bond is seen as a refuge from the turmoil surrounding them, representing hope and aspiration in a world filled with constraints. This theme is beautifully portrayed through music, which serves as a conduit for their unspoken desires and love.

🌱

Growth and Change

The theme of growth and change is captured through Mùi's journey from a servant to a pivotal figure in the pianist’s life. Mùi's character embodies innocence and curiosity, which evolve as she becomes more involved in the lives of those around her. Her transformation reflects the broader changes occurring in society, emphasizing personal development amidst familial strife.

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