Discovery is a delightful word that sometimes makes us wonder what it is and

the definition itself is distinctive. Discovery is the process of examining, seeking

or exploring, which can emerge from a process of deliberate and careful planning
evoked by curiosity, necessity or wonder. Discoveries can lead us to new worlds
as well as new experiences. The process of discovery can be physical, emotional,
creative, spiritual and intellectual. This concept of discovery is displayed in the
novel The China Coin by Allan Baillie and the film Billy Elliot directed by
Stephen Daldry.
The process of physical and emotional discovery occurs when an individual
encounters the challenges and adversities. This is clearly exemplified in the
novel, The China Coin through the protagonist Leah, where by the juxtaposition
between her Anglo father and Chinese mother represent her inability to discover
her genuine cultural identity due to lack of connection to China, as she never
encountered it. This leads Leah to have fear and rejection of Eastern culture and
people. This is evident in her pessimistic description of China, A village so
primitive they file their teeth and eat meat raw which portrays her sense of
repulsion and annoyance of discovering her Chinese heritage. Her repudiation is
further emphasized by I hate it, I hate China. The repletion of strong emotive
word hate highlights her deep antipathy and hostility towards China, which
leaves her unable to discover genuine cultural connections and lead her to feel
more distant from her mother, Joan.