Parents – differences
Sharon’s parents understood daughter’s wishes better than Eliz.’s parents
Sharon’s family was educated in China
Eliz.’s parents were more strict
Sharon’s wanted her to be a model Chin. American
Sharon’s parents had an opportunity to go back home
Sharon could see/experience her parents’ personality “at home” in China
Sharon. realized she should have learned Chinese after she visited China; Elizabeth. may
have realized it, but in a diff. way
S. mom and dad were involved in daughter’s life ; E. only her mom
E. criticized her mom’s language more than Sharon
Sharon’s parents were more open to listening to her
Sharon’s mother was proud of her daughter/Eliz mom?
Girls – Differences
One visited China
Eliz. is famous
Sharon was sorry that she couldn’t communicate with Chinese people in China
Sharon mentioned more often about her father than Eliz.
Sharon regretted not having learned Chinese very well
Eliz. is less affectionate to her parents
Eliz. is multicultural; Sharon is bi-cultural
E. stayed in US/ Sharon visited home country and finally realized…,
Sharon regrets not knowing Chinese
Understands and is proud of parents after seeing them in China
Sharon talks a lot about the history of her parents
Sharon compared her parents to her friends’ parents ( a lot)
Eliz. focused on grandmother/ Did Sharon have a grandmother here?
Eliz. criticized her mother’s Eng./Sharon tried to help her mother
Eliz. was forced to take Chinese classes/ Sharon had an option (?)
Sharon is closer to her parents than Eliz.
girls – similarities
both parents are Chinese
both born in USA
attended Chinese school
didn’t like to learn Chinese
translated for family
parents were proud of them
fluent in English; fluent in Chinese (?)
both are writers
Both later wanted to learn about Chinese heritage
Quit Chinese school at a similar age
Parents came from Taiwan
Both are embarrassed about parents and parents’ language skills
The girls don’t understand their family’s traditions, heritage, history, customs
Both tried hard to blend into Am. Culture
Both are struggling (against Chinese culture) to be Am. Girls
Both didn’t feel proud of their parents (when the girls were young)
They liked Am. food better than Chin. food
Parents’ similarities
Moved to US
Want kids to learn Chinese
Speak pidgin English
Moved in order to make a better life for their family, but children don’t understand that
Mothers stayed home
Keep Chinese tradition and culture in their home
Both didn’t have a lot of power to control their children (in the U.S.)
Even though they had lived for decades in the US, they still “lived” their Chinese culture.
Both mothers want to speak Eng but are having difficulties
FYI: other authors who discuss this kind of personal Chinese/American conflict are Amy
Tan, Maxine Hong Kingston; Jade Snow Wong; Gish Jen; Koren writer: Chang Rae Lee