Nag Hong Fah
Proprietor of the Great Shanghai Chop Suey Palace, husband to Fanny Mei Hi, and father.
Core Belief
"Family is paramount, especially the continuation of the Nag clan through male heirs. He believes in balancing tradition and practicality to achieve personal happiness and prosperity."
Worldview
He sees the world through a lens of cultural duality, navigating between Chinese and American customs. He believes in adapting to circumstances to achieve his goals, even if it means compromising his principles.
Personality
Nag Hong Fah is a complex character, balancing shrewd business acumen with a sentimental desire for a traditional family life. He is pragmatic and adaptable, embracing American customs while holding onto core Chinese values, and is also shown to be both generous and calculating.
In Their Own Words
"“Forty-seven dollars and thirty-three cents saved on the first business of my married life,” Nag Hong Fah said to his assembled clan that night at the Place of Sweet Desire and Heavenly Entertainment. “Ah, I shall have a fine, large business to leave to the man-child which my wife shall bear me!”"
"“You are going to die,” he said placidly, in a way, apologetically, “and it is fitting that your daughter should make proper obeisance to your departed spirit. A child’s devotion is best stimulated by gratitude. And little Fanny shall be grateful to you. For she will go to a good American school and, to pay for it, I shall sell your possessions after you are dead."
"“It is necessary for your and my honor, as well as for the honor of my wife’s departed spirit, that the foreign woman should not wag her tongue. I shall see to it to-night.” He waved a fat, deprecating hand. “Yes—yes. I shall see to it. It is a simple act of family piety—but otherwise without much importance.”"
Discussions with Nag Hong Fah
Other Characters from The best short stories of 1918, and the yearbook of the American short story
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