Attachment for Life

Aging, illness, and death are significant and unavoidable aspects of living, and the two men’s actions run contrary to related traditions and moral constraints. Old Zhao’s unconventional display of affection for his deceased wife serves as a poignant reminder of the universal desire to defy the inevitability of loss. The extent to which he is willing to preserve his love – asking, “How can I keep you?” – lays bare the core of his emotions and motivations, reflecting how his need to “hide” has transformed into one of needing to “keep.”