Sharing Go around the classroom and compare papers with your classmates. Note your differences and more especially, your similarities. What do you have in common? Why is it important for you to define yourself using those aspects? How many among you remembered to include your nationality as part of your identity? Is being Filipino still important to being who you are? Why/why not? What does it mean to be Filipino? I am a Filipino, _____________ cultural schizophrenia • occurs when individuals are crushed between two or more cultures, disabling them from balancing the dictations of the cultures; the consequences of which can pose a danger for society (Suriyah Bi) • culture conflict and identity crisis: “The Marginal Man” • the individual finds that they are heir to two different cultural traditions • they may have difficulty in reconciling their effects on their own personality; they may find it difficult to decide to which culture he owes primary loyalty” • because of their marginal status, they often experience an identity crisis and feels isolated and alienated from both cultures • three different reactions: 1. Remain allied to the values of his own culture 2. Attempt to become over-Westernized and reject Asian ways 3. Attempt to integrate aspects of both cultures which he believes are functional to his own self-esteem and identity Asian American Literature Jessica Hagedorn, Introduction to Charlie Chan is Dead 2 “The colonization of our imagination was relentless and hard to shake off. Everywhere we turned, the images held up did not match our own. In order to be acknowledged, we had to strive to be as American as possible. “For many of us, what is personal is also political, and vice versa. We are asserting and continually exploring who we are as Asians, Asian Americans, and artists and citizens of... ‘a shrinking universe.’ … the language(s) we speak are not necessarily the language(s) in which we dream.” Asian American Literature Elaine Kim, Preface to Charlie Chan is Dead 2 “Faced with sets of mutually exclusive binaries between ’East’ and ’West,’ between Asia and American, and between suspect alien and patriot, those seeking a third space as “both/and” instead of “either/or” are usually considered racist, un-American, even antiAmerican. Within the context of these silencing systems of domination, Asian Americans are supposed to deny their cultural heritages, accept positions as sojourning ‘exotic aliens,’ or ‘go back’ to Asia. I felt the urgent need to insist that these were not ‘our realities.’ Our strategy was to assert a self-determined Asian American identity in direct opposition to these dehumanizing characterizations, even if it was limited by being contained within the exclusive binary system that occasioned it.” Perhaps after all there is no ‘home,’ except for a place of contestation that negates as well as affirms. And identity, like ‘home,’ is ever in process, less a refuge than the site of contending, multiple meanings.” “The Paper Menagerie,” Asian American Literature Asian | American East | West Home? Identity? cultural schizophrenia in ”The Paper Menagerie” How do you see this manifest in the character of Jack? Ken Liu, “The Paper Menagerie” • CONFLICT: What is the central conflict of the story? • CHARACTER: Who are the characters in the story? • Mom, Dad, Jack, Max, the neighbors • What is the relevance of their personal backgrounds (race, ethnicity, social class) in the plot of the story? • SETTING: Where is the story set? • How does the setting of the story highlight character difference and conflict? • Jack in suburban Connecticut • Mother in suburban Connecticut • Father in suburban Connecticut • THEME: Given these elements, what is the short story trying to say? What is the purpose of having the paper animals come alive in the story? Magical Realism • integration of realistic elements with supernatural or fantastic experiences • the reader is presented with the supernatural and extraordinary, set against the backdrop of the real world • magical elements are revealed in a real setting • made popular by its usage by Latin American fictionist, magical realism contains an “implicit criticism of society” • breaks free from the “traditional” and “privileged” modes of storytelling • magical realism as a mode is about and for “ex-centrics:” the geographically, socially, and economically marginalized • magical realism’s “alternative world” works to correct the reality of established viewpoints “May kuwenta ka, kasi may kuwento ka.” – Bobby Guevera In “The Paper Menagerie,” we see Jack’s mother finding validation in her son’s existence, while craving for him to talk to her. What is it trying to tell us about life and our relationships? How do you know that your mother loves you? Are you always vocal about your appreciation towards your loved ones? Why/why not? When was the last time you had a sincere talk with a parent/guardian/loved one? Supposed you are given a chance to tell a chosen parent/guardian/loved one something you’re not normally able to say. What is it? In a letter to this person, tell them what you couldn’t in real life. Turn this letter into a paper animal that best represents YOU.
