Many authors use different types of forms in order to inform the content, enhance their stories, and emphasize the messages they they are trying to pass. Yiyun Li uses this technique effectively in her short story collection, A Thousand Years of Good Prayers, using repetition as a way to inform the content. The repetition of the word "promise" in Love in the Marketplace and the concept of empty versus kept promises in The Princess of Nebraska give meaning to these short stories by emphasizing the need for shared values ​​and a mutual understanding of commitment in order to to find belonging and true love, as demonstrated by the characters in these stories. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay In Love in the Marketplace, the repetition of the word "promise" throughout Sansan's character development shows his belief in essentiality of a mutual understanding of promise and a commitment to keeping promises in order to truly find love, and how love without these essential elements cannot succeed. Sansan first falls in love with a man who makes her an empty promise, which she discovers when he falls in love with another woman. Sansan feels betrayed, but realizes that because her values ​​were different from his, their love could never have succeeded. She reflects on this realization: “The fact that they both broke their promises, as hurtful as it was and it always will be, no longer matters. What remains significant are Tu and Min’s wedding vows” (101). This quote shows how much Sansan values ​​promises and knows that because You broke hers, she will never be able to love him. She realized that she does not belong to You and that she never will, due to her lack of understanding of the promise. Later in the story, another use of the word "promise" is used to show how Sansan distinguishes himself from Tu. others, due to his unorthodox views on love in his society. Repetition is also used to continue to emphasize Sansan's values. When Sansan's mother considers an arranged marriage for Sansan because she is desperate to find a husband, Sansan explains that she wants "a romance [that] is more than a love affair with a man." A promise is a promise, a wish remains a wish…” (104). The context of this quote shows how Sansan has yet to find a sense of belonging, due to his unique ideas about love. Additionally, the language of the quote regarding the repetition of the words "promise" and "vow" highlights how much Sansan believes in these words and the power they give him in his search for true love. , the word "promise" is repeated one last time at the end of the short story, which marks the resolution of Sansan's conflict. When Sansan is at the market, she finds someone who shares her values ​​and understands promise and commitment, which is illustrated in the quote "...After all these years, she finally meets someone who understands what It's a promise. However crazy they may seem to the world, they are not alone and they will always find each other” (110). This quote and the final use of the word "promise" in this short story shows that Sansan finally finds his belonging after searching and standing out for so long. Additionally, because they both understand the promise, she no longer has to fear empty promises, because she believes that those who share her beliefs understand the promise and dedication the same way she does, which THE.