Stargazing

Music is used to characterize Christine and Moon. It brings them together and demonstrates their differences, and acts as a mechanism through which Moon helps Christine open up and find her confidence.

Christine is seen playing violin with the church on the opening pages of the story. She looks proud and assured as she plays skillfully. The violin, a classical instrument, highlights how Christine is from a traditional background. After the concert, her parents criticize her, illustrating their strictness and high expectations. When Christine meets Moon, she is opened up to an entirely different musical world. Christine usually listens to American pop music. She enjoys Hayden Mills, an all-American blonde, while Moon likes Chara, a Korean pop star who also raps and dances. Hayden Mills and Chara are foils, the way that Christine and Moon are foils. Hayden reflects how Christine fits in with mainstream culture, while Chara, like Moon, is edgy and dark. Chara goes against the grain and isn’t afraid to be herself, just like Moon: “That’s not my desire, this girl too fire” (77). This becomes what Christine admires most in Moon.

Moon teaches Christine how to dance and helps her find the confidence to perform a dance at the school talent show.