Two KindsEssay Preview: Two KindsReport this essayTwo Kinds is a story about mother-daughter relationship – Suyuan and Jing-mei. Suyuan believed that America is where her dreams will be fulfilled. She thought that her daughter, Jing-mei, would be the one to realize them. Jing-mei, on the other hand, was a confused child at first. She was led to believe that she can be someone. At first, she followed her mother, but when she felt that her mother was already forcing her and stealing her youth, she told herself that it was the end. The story is a clash between two individuals from two different generations and beliefs (Suyuan who basically grew up in China; and Jing-mei who was born and raised in United States).
The theme of the story has so much to do with Amy Tans own experience – particularly her relationship with her mother. It tells the struggles of mother and daughter to understand each other. Though the incidents in the story never really occurred in her life, they were very close to reality. And she said in her interview that it was the closest thing of describing her life. Also, we see not only the cultural differences but the immigrants need to prove that they certainly have a place in the United States and that they were as talented or as more talented than Americans.
I. Literary ApproachBiographical and Marxist/Sociological Approaches are the most appropriate tools to better understand the story. As aforementioned, Amy Tans life is very similar with that of Jing-meis. Tan was born in Oakland, California to parents who immigrated to the United States from China. Thus, this made Tans growing up stage difficult especially with the relationship with her mom. Her story can be best analyzed through
her life that basically leads you to the biographical approach which allows one to better understand elements within a work, as well as to relate works to the authors intention and audience. Tans life can serve as a lens that can magnify (clarify) the emotions/feelings embedded in the story.
Another approach which is deemed appropriate to the story is the Marxism. It is concerned with labor practices, class theories, and economics, especially as concerned with the struggles of the poor and oppressed. It examines literature in its cultural and political context; it explores the relation between the artist/character and the society. Jing-meis mother, a Chinese immigrant, feels that she has to prove something to the society. There is a need to elevate ones economic and social status. Also, the mother believed that you could be anything you wanted to be in America. The domestic dispute, on the other hand, was caused by the cultural differences. It focused on a mother from China and her American-born daughter. In Chinese culture, children are expected to be obedient.
II. Analysis/DiscussionIn classroom situation, it is better if the discussion starts with the life of Amy Tan as reflected on the story Two Kinds. This will make students more interested to learn more about the story and will try to compare Tans life to Jing-meis.
“I was told what I was supposed to do when I was growing up, so I dont think I ever had a chance to think about what I really wanted to do.” – Amy TanTwo Kinds is a reflection of Amy Tans life. Her mother is portrayed by Suyuan. Amys mother is also an immigrant. She, like Suyuan, had high expectation from Amy. “My parents had very high expectations. They expected me to get straight As from the time I was in kindergarten. I remember, I was in kindergarten and there was a little girl who I didnt think was a very good artist. I thought I did a very careful house, you know, with the chimney, and the windows, and the trees, and she was more of an abstract artist. Hers was very loose, and I didnt think it was very good but they decided to pin hers up in the Principals office. So that was like getting the “A.” My mother wanted to know. Why wasnt my picture in that window? I was very wounded and frightened. You know? Why wasnt it in the window? I remember feeling that pressure from the time I was 5 years old,” narrated Tan. She wanted to show how parents control their childrens lives. Too much expectation is suffocating. She wanted to be herself, not the person her mother wanted her to be. That basically was the reason why she began hating her mom. Her mother was never satisfied of her small achievements. Jing-mei became rebellious and so did Amy. “Anything that my mother hated, that was better. I think the rebellious side came about because I thought I was never going to hear the voice of God. Id never be good enough for God or for my family or for my mother or father so I might as well be bad,” reflected Amy. Jing-mei showed her rebelliousness when she started her piano lessons, which she never took seriously. In the end, she was able to forgive her mother because she realized that her mother only wanted the best for her. She might not be a perfect one, but everything she did was out of love. Jing-mei, as she is already contented, has now recovered from her past.
Culture and economics are very evident in the story. Chinese are very courteous, they pay due respect to the elders. There is no room for disobedience. Parents are strict. If a child is raised in a family in an atmosphere of fear, what can be expected of them if they become parents? More often than not, they become very much like their parents. They believe that fear is the way to control children. As portrayed in most TV dramas and films, Tsinoys/Chinese parents control the lives of their children. They have become authoritarian, as they were used to that (China being a communist country). Unconsciously, they have acquired that quality.
One thing that made it harder for the characters to meet minds is the fact that Suyuan was raised as a Chinese; while Jing-mei, though raised by Chinese parents, was surrounded by Americans, thus making her more American than Chinese. Stereotypically speaking, Chinese are stiff while Americans are liberated. This is more evident in the American setting. Why? Basically, Chinese or any foreigner would act as if his race is more superior than the more prominent race (Americans for instance). Migrants/Foreigners feel that they have to prove themselves in their new community. They have to be accepted and never to be looked down. Pride is what they have. On the other side, Americans are carefree. They give freedom to their children. Most American families would not force their kids to do things which they do not approve of. Suyuan and Jing-mei
Suyuan and Jing-mei’s family was raised in the same family after the death of their adoptive parents. These children were treated with kindness, the family was allowed to adopt them, and they were allowed to grow up in the same school, though the children were still raised there, rather than living off the street. At that time, all American families were segregated. However not all Western families are. To them, American is the same as American. In other words, Suyu and Jing-mei’s community is much more diverse than those in American. In fact they could be different for a reason. The difference is in the way the characters are treated in the new community. So, these two characters have their own style of social interaction. They have to learn to be honest and to have something to say as much as possible. So, they can become more and more friendly to each other than the previous characters.
In this series, the Japanese characters are much more colorful. They have a higher coloration and a higher contrast. Thus their more colorful character designs show that they can feel themselves more in a community. In addition, they have a more positive attitude to others after having a short time with them.Moral Notes
In this series, Kyouko has a pretty big personality. He doesn’t speak that often, but he definitely has a cool disposition. He likes to laugh and make friends with the audience. He loves the company of other members and enjoys making friends. He does have to learn how to behave more and more frequently. However, I believe that he makes these characters as good as they are. He has a really good sense of humor and often shows off his cute or adorable little faces. In this series, Suyuan and Jing-mei’s personality and personality has a lot more character development, and the character personalities are developed. They have a lot of respect for one another as a whole.
Suyuan and Jing-mei never had a bad relationship because of their feelings for each other. When they first met in The Three-Faced Tiger, they had only met in the first few years of elementary school. At first, he and his family seemed like simple people and normal people. But when Jin-mei told them that Jiaozhi and the rest of his clan had already killed each other, he actually decided to just get back together with Jin-mei and have them fight. Although Jin-mei thought that Jin-mei was a good person, his heart was still quite in despair of it. He was still able to understand very well what the people around him would think, and he was willing to talk much more freely than the people around him.
His father, Jin-mei, actually thought that Jin-mei had been bullied and had become aggressive. If he came back to the United States, his father would then come back to Korea on his own accord. It was only during the last years that Jin-mei realized that his family made him feel good, and that Jin-mei’s personality was still strong.
When Jin-mei was younger, then-presidential candidate