The Gold Mountain Coat

It is often said one cannot judge a book by its cover. Before judging people, it is necessary need to take a deeper and closer look at them. “The Gold Mountain Coat”, written by Judy Fong-Bates, describes Sam Sing is not friendly and generous to his sons at all. However, when his sons finally go through their interior barriers and gets to know him, he is truly an understanding kindly dad.

At the beginning of the story, Sam Sing’s actions match what we know him to seem self- sufficient, selfish, and isolated. Sam Sing is an owner of his Chinese restaurant which makes him think he is taller than everyone else. As narrator recalls, it seems that “Sam Sing never [enters] our house. His enterprise was prosperous, whereas ours was poor. [Does] he fell that we [are] beneath him?” It seems that self- sufficient and isolated heart induce him to not to visit people’ house. Also in cold winter when Sam Sing’ sons visit narrator’ house, “they [shares] a single coat.” It proves that Sam Sing does not care about his children and loses his father’s heart. Indeed he is a heartless, isolated person who seldom communicates with others.

Although Sam Sing appears to be a bad, irresponsible father, his motivation is quite understandable. He is actually a caring man and testing if his sons have courage to ask for him. Ultimately when his sons speak out, it shows “Sam’s face [breaks into a smile. His gold teeth [gleam].” He accepts the requests they ask for. Indeed Sam is an undetected man who cares his children like any other parents.