Jack Wolff– Jack try the preferred pupil when you look at the Lydia’s highschool. The guy create close matchmaking with many ladies. Whenever Jack is actually more youthful, he gone along with his mom toward same path since the Lee family. Due to the fact Jack was famous for bringing the virginity off ladies, Nath concerned one Lydia spent too much effort with Jack most of the date. Nath usually believed that Lydia’s dying is connected with Jack, however in truth, Jack was really the only pal away from Lydia prior to her dying. Jack actually advised Lydia he privately enjoyed Nath.
- Louisa Chen – Louisa is actually good Chinese-American graduating student and you will a coaching assistant away from James. Because they mutual an identical social record, James discover the newest affiliation along with her. Ergo, once Lydia’s passing, James attempted to score morale out-of Louisa, so they really got an intimate family members.
- Chinese Immigrants – Chinese immigrant is a vital point from inside the The things i Never Told You. Ng never stops to fairly share brand new immigration state out-of James’ moms and dads to help you James’ pupils. Because first-generation immigrants so you’re able to America, James’ parents, given that almost every other Chinese immigrants, commonly asked as the Western european immigrants. The fresh new es’ mothers is go on to California as they make use of the pseudonyms and pretend they are the latest son regarding an effective Chinese immigrant just who actions so you’re able to The united states very early. Whenever Norwegian, Italian, and you may Russian immigrants check out Kansas, Nebraska, and Minnesota, very Chinese immigrants relocate to Ca. From inside the Chinatown, such Chinese immigrants having pseudonyms are often started, so they is actually their very best so you can combine into the crowd and do not be distinct from anyone else.
- Interracial Wedding – The whole es and es erican exercises assistance of James, even will not cover-up the girl shock whenever James states his spouse. Marlyn’s mom also attempts to encourage parece as his or her relationship is actually illegal at most towns out of Virginia for the 1958. Ng in addition to refers to a light boy which marries a black lady from inside the Virginia about book. He’s arrested shortly after 4 moths of the relationship. That it pair matches for legality of the relationship to have 4 age, but their matrimony are acknowledged regarding the courtroom after 8 age. Yet not, its relationships need a lot more age as acknowledged from the their family and you will encompassing individuals. Some individuals never ever also undertake her or him. Ng shows this new dilemma of interracial wedding for the The thing i Never ever Told you.
- Members of the family Environment and you may Studies – Pressure out of family ecosystem and you will parents’ more than-criterion was a primary foundation which leads to Lydia’s dying. Inside The things i Never ever Told you, no guy lived-in a healthy and balanced friends ecosystem. James lived-in a family group that both of their mothers performed n’t have an appropriate term in the usa, very the lifetime were extremely cautious. ily, along with her mother try an extremely conventional homemaker just who hoped you to ily, Marlyn before remaining the lady spouse and children. Nath and you may Hannah was never taken care using their parents while the the moms and dads paid off all notice to your Lydia, for example Lydia are extremely uncomfortable and stressed. The issue regarding training as well as existed for a long time for the Lee’s relatives. James and Marlyn never ever thought what Lydia was really looking for and you will if the girl lifetime was delighted or not. They just imposed uncompleted dreams of their youth to the worst girl. Up to Lydia passed away, they pointed out that they had never learned their daughter prior to.
- Feminism – During the What i Never ever Told you, Ng depicts Doris, Marlyn’s mommy, once the a vintage girl and that Marlyn never desired to end up being. However, Marlyn tries to combat the new figure out of traditional ladies. She are the actual only real girl whom took biochemistry class within her senior school, and she tried to lose family economics and you may got kinds designated to possess guys. As well as, Marlyn highlighted to help you the girl professor away from a physical class one she desired to getting an excellent ‘doctor’, maybe not an effective ‘nurse’. On novel, Marlyn seeks a number of moments to-be regarded as equal to men, while others think that she just wished to be different. Ng discussed brand new inequality women suffered and women’s fighting for the the fresh new 1940s.
The story––as it is provided throughout the coaches and also the infants at school––was soobvious. Lydia’s quietness, their not enough household members. The girl previous sinking levels. And you may, in reality, the strangeness away from her relatives babel. A household and no loved ones, children off misfits. This shines thus brilliantly one to, from the eyes of your own police, Jack falls with the shadow. A lady that way and you may a child eg your, who’ll have––does have––any woman he desires? ? The things i Never Told you, Part 5.
She’s going to figure out what occurred so you’re able to Lydia. She will find out who’s in control. She will uncover what ran incorrect.? The thing i Never ever Told you, Chapter step 3.
Marilyn, clueless you to the woman youngest try hearing so directly, therefore longingly, blots their eyes and changes the brand new diaries on the bookshelf and renders by herself a vow
It was because if The usa by herself is actually delivering your within the. It had been too-much fortune. He dreaded the day the newest universe do find he wasn’t going to possess the woman or take her out. Or you to definitely she you will suddenly comprehend her mistake and you may drop-off out of their lifetime since the unexpectedly once the she had inserted. ? The things i Never ever Told you, Part 2.
It’s impossible so they can thought what Nath knows in order to become correct, aside from what the guy themselves imagines
Up indeed there––eighty-four miles higher, ninety, ninety-five, the latest avoid told you––what you in the world is hidden. Up there: just celebrities.? The things i Never ever Said, Part 6.
She’ll figure out what took place in order to Lydia. She’s going to read that is in charge. She’s going to discover what went completely wrong. Everything i Never Said, Chapter step 3.