After reading the article “American Born Chinese” written by Cene Luen Yang, I feel that I really have something to say about it. This is a story made up of three main characters-the Monkey King (Also Chin-Kee), Jing Wang (Also Danny) and Wei Chen (Monkey King’s son). The author combines the story with three different parts and tells it in a humorous way. On the surface, the story has a happy ending that Jing Wang meets Wei Chen again and tries to behave and live more Asian. Nevertheless, I don’t fell that all the problems will be solved because Jing Wang would like to behave more Asian. I agree that a person should face himself and accept his ethicality, but at the same time I think that people have the right to choose what kind of people they want to be.
The Monkey King is a crucial character in this story. He and Jing Wang share a lot of similarities. They are both not accepted by the new world. Monkey King is refused to enter into the dinner party because he is a monkey. And King Wang is mocked and unaccepted by his classmates because he comes from China, who is an Asian eat weird food and even dog. Both Monkey King and Jing Wang are ashamed of their status. They are different from the people around them and these differences make them feel miserable. In the end of the story, Monkey King persuades Jing Wang that he should accept the fact that he is an Asian and he should be happy to be an Asian, because Monkey King finally realizes how good it is to be a monkey. In some extent, I feel this is good for Monkey King. But I must question that does he really give up his desires to be one part of the dinner party? He gives up this thought because he doesn’t want to go to the party anymore, or because he finds that it’s difficult to get in the party? I feel the reason is the second one.
So, I have some advices for Jing Wang on my perspective. Firstly, like Monkey King, I think Jing Wang should accept that he is an Asian American from his heart. He needs to know where he comes from and respect it. Secondly, different from Monkey King, I don’t persuade Jing Wang to behave more like an Asian-to go to Chinatown or drink pearl milk tea. I think Jing Wang can choose what kind of person he wants to be. There are no limitations for that. He can become a more than typical American boy, since he grows up in America. He can also be more like an Asian boy. It’s his freedom. Why I think this way is because that I have the experience for this. Two years ago, I came to America. At that same time, a lot of international students came to Miami University. Now, after two years staying in America, everybody has changed, but in different ways. I have friends who make a lot of American friends and live in a really American way, just like “banana”, who has the yellow skin outside, but white culture inside. And I also have friends who still live in a quite Asian way, just like before. I don’t think any of this two way is better or worse. I think people have the right to make their personal choice, which can make them happy and comfortable. This is also my advice for Jing Wang and Wei Chen.
This article reminds me of a writer Enmei Tanwho focus on the topic that how Asian American lives their life in America. One of her work has been filmed as a movie-The Joy Luck Club. I feel that if you want to know more about Asian Americans, this is a good choice. Hope you can enjoy the movie!
What's up Sophie!
ReplyDeleteVery nice blog post – you looked at “American Born Chinese” differently than I ever did. I agree that it is important for Jin Wang to be himself rather than only “American” or “Chinese”. I guess there was so much focus on Chinese heritage in the story through characters like the Monkey King and Chin-Kee that you would just assume Jin Wang should be more traditionally Chinese. (Or I’m realizing now that I did, anyway!) It is definitely important that he is proud of his Chinese roots (as well as American) but I agree, he shouldn’t focus on taking one entirely over the other.
When you look at a character like Wei Chen, it gets a little more complicated, I think. (Although I kept forgetting that he was actually a monkey and not an Asian American like Jin) If his choice was between being a monkey and being a human, then he went with being a human. However, unlike Jin, he didn’t come to this decision because he felt different or like he didn’t belong, but because he came to resent the role of an Emissary. He hated being a monkey, but didn’t think too highly of Humans either. That’s why I think that Wei Chen’s character really illustrates the point you are bringing up, Sophie. While technically his choice was “Monkey or Human,” he was ultimately just trying to become himself. He had a little of both in him and went on to find whatever made him happiest.
The “Joy Luck Club” doesn’t look very joyful or lucky! It does look good though. I’d never even heard of that movie.
Hi hi Yini,
ReplyDeleteIt’s so great to comment in your blog. I want to say that I like your third paragraph a lot a lot! At the same time, I totally agree with your opinion that, Monkey King and Jing Wnag should accept that they are Asian American from their bottom heart. It must be clear in their mind about where they come from, and show respect.
You highlighted Chinese living styles by pointing out “Milk Tea” and “Chinatown”, which might be new to some of our native classmates.
You’re right! People should never go towards either end, or either behave more like an American-to-go, or still live in a quite Asian way, just like before. Every culture has its particular outstanding and advantages, which needs us to learn and develop. So at this point, I think American Born Chinese should try to combine these the benefits of these two cultures, and develop them in a whole.
Actually, I feel really jealous about some American Born Chinese. Because they can speak both fluent English and Chinese. No matter where they are, they will be regarded as a more developed/ talented person and will have more opportunities to have promoted.
So American Born Chinese at least, should be happy with this.
Thanks ~
Japan is a small size, scarcity of resources but the technology developed, densely populated small superpower country.
ReplyDeleteJapanese strong, hard, serious character of public funding so that they can recover rapidly after the Second World War
(Domestic economic and industrial resources are a devastating blow)After the United States and become the world's second largest economy.
i came from china,Japanese in World War II, Japan to China caused countless crimes, robbery, rape, murder. Million Chinese people died in World War II, but Japanese do not recognize their crimes, nor the Chinese government, Chinese people an apology. This is associated with their character, their respect for the strong, the Japanese think it is lost to the U.S., not China. So even if the United States had used atomic bombs in Japan, until now there are Japanese people affected by nuclear radiation, they still respect the U.S. as an ally of the United States.