59 pages • 1-hour read
The Secret Battle of Evan Pao
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Symbols & Motifs
Charlie’s Car
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying and racism.
In The Secret Battle of Evan Pao, Charlie Griggs’ car is a multifaceted symbol reflecting themes of How Prejudice Hurts People and Communities, The Struggle to Find Identity and Belonging When You’re Different, and personal transformation. The novel describes the car as “a low black car with flames painted on the sides […]. The car […] also had a skull and crossed knives painted on the doors with the words NO MERCY spelled out underneath” (17) presenting an aggressive and menacing exterior. Its loud, almost unnerving sound—“a low, menacing growl” (17)—echoes the anger and hostility that define Charlie’s worldview. The car is more than just a vehicle; it reflects Charlie’s internal struggles and his alienation from the community.
The car’s aggressive appearance and deafening noise symbolize Charlie’s prejudice and deep-rooted anger, particularly toward changes occurring in his town. The menacing imagery reflects his resistance to change and his role in perpetuating a cycle of hate. The town’s consideration of a noise ordinance to limit such disruptive sounds further isolates Charlie, marking him as an outsider and illustrating how he embodies the town’s undercurrent of prejudice.
Furthermore, the car embodies Charlie’s alienation and lack of belonging. Its disruptive presence in the community mirrors Charlie’s inability to find his place in Haddington. While other characters, like Evan, struggle with issues of identity and belonging due to outside factors, Charlie’s car is a stark contrast, highlighting Charlie’s resistance to change. While others are the root of Evan’s alienation, Charlie’s alienation results from his actions.
The transformation of the car’s slogan from “No Mercy” to “Now Mercy” at the novel’s conclusion marks a crucial turning point. This act, performed by Evan, represents hope and the possibility of change. It suggests that even the most entrenched forms of hate can be challenged, symbolizing the potential for transformation through small, courageous actions. The car thus reflects both the destructive forces of prejudice and the power of reconciliation.
Dogs
Throughout The Secret Battle of Evan Pao, dogs symbolize How Prejudice Hurts People and Communities and The Struggle for Identity and Belonging When You’re Different. Unlike the people in Haddington, the dogs are free of bias or resentment, demonstrating an unconditional acceptance that contrasts with the town’s divisiveness. Max’s dog, Chessie, for example, befriends both Evan and Brady without regard for their race or actions, symbolizing a world unclouded by prejudice. Similarly, Mochi, abandoned by someone meant to care for her, parallels Evan’s feelings of betrayal and displacement. However, Mochi approaches Evan and Joe with trust on their first meeting, embodying resilience and the possibility of connection despite past harm.
One pivotal moment occurs during Evan and Brady’s argument near the ravine. Mochi steps between them to protect Evan, yet still accepts pats from Brady, reflecting her ability to bridge divides that human prejudice cannot. This scene also reveals Brady’s softer, more vulnerable side. Around dogs, Brady sheds his anger and fear, finding a rare sense of safety and belonging. As Brady reflects, “What would life be like without dogs? They didn’t yell at you or get mad at you when you made mistakes. […] Nero was the only one in the house who listened without criticizing him, who seemed excited when he came home” (134). For Brady, dogs represent an escape from judgment and a source of unconditional love, ultimately driving him to help Evan search for Mochi when she goes missing.
For Evan and Celeste, Mochi fosters connection and belonging. Mochi serves as a bridge for Celeste to bond with her classmates and provides Evan with comfort during moments of loneliness. In a town clinging to prejudice and the past, the dogs embody a world of acceptance and unity, offering a vision of what the community—and humanity—could be if it embraced compassion over division.
The Civil War
The American Civil War is a layered and complex symbol in The Secret Battle of Evan Pao, reflecting themes of How Prejudice Hurts People and Communities, The Struggle for Identity and Belonging When You’re Different, and How Family Dynamics and Legacy Affect Relationships. At its core, the Civil War represents the destructive impact of prejudice, rooted in the fight over the right to enslave others. This historical conflict emphasizes the ways prejudice shapes both societal and individual identities. However, the symbol extends further, challenging preconceived notions about who participated in the war. Many people, including the residents of Haddington, view Civil War soldiers as exclusively white men, but Evan’s discovery of Asian soldiers who fought in the war complicates this narrative. Similarly, the contributions of Black soldiers and women on the front lines reveal a more inclusive history that contrasts with the narrow-mindedness of Haddington’s community.
The Civil War also represents identity and belonging. For the long-established families of Haddington, the war serves as a cornerstone of their shared history and collective identity. Generations of residents take pride in their ancestors’ contributions, and this history acts as a bond among them. However, for outsiders like Evan and his family, this shared past becomes a barrier to integration. Without a family legacy tied to the Civil War, Evan is further alienated, reinforcing his sense of exclusion from the community.
Finally, the Civil War symbolizes family dynamics and legacy. Many of Haddington’s families define themselves by their ancestors’ roles in the war, using this connection to assert their status and belonging. However, Evan’s family lacks this inherited legacy, highlighting the limits of identity rooted in ancestry. The novel suggests that this fixation on the past, while fostering unity for some, perpetuates exclusion and prejudice for others, emphasizing the need to move beyond historical divisions toward a more inclusive understanding of belonging and identity.
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