Project Mulberry

The mulberry tree symbolizes diversity. As the only source of food for silkworms, the mulberry tree connects to Korean sericulture, though it can also grow in the United States. The only mulberry tree in (mostly white) Plainfield belongs to Mr. Dixon, a Black man, who prunes and cares for it much as he mentors Patrick and Julia over the course of their project. Mr. Dixon mentions that a mulberry tree must be pruned regularly or it will become bush-like, suggesting that diversity must be nurtured in order to flourish.

The Songs are the only Korean family in Plainfield, and Julia’s negative experiences make her sensitive about her heritage. After meeting Mr. Dixon and becoming invested in Project Mulberry, Julia opens up to her own heritage. As the silkworms devour mulberry leaves and attach themselves to the plant, so does Julia become more interested in Korean traditions and create her own connection through her embroidery. 

Julia’s and Patrick’s quest for the Connecticut state quarter symbolizes their journey toward unity. Connecticut “connects” them from the early chapters; it is the last quarter left to collect, and it is each of their favorite of the state quarters. Julia likes it for the tree design, which she later describes as “like strands of silk” (205), associating it with the mulberry tree and its diversity