What is The Origami Bird?

The origami birds that are seen throughout the novel not only symbolize the man’s culture, but becomes a symbol of culture in general. Because the origami bird is something particular to the man’s home country, he finds comfort in its familiarity. Thus, the figure also becomes associated with the man’s identity, and is a piece of himself he is able to maintain even as he everything around him changes. As the man seeks to share his culture with the other immigrants he befriends, it is origami that allows him to show people a piece of his home country, and in turn, a piece of himself.