American Born Chinese

Internet Workshop

Exclusion Act:

I do believe that the Exclusion Act still impacts Chinese-Americans today.  Repeals did not occur until 1948, which is recent in our country’s history.  This act prevented the assimilation of Chinese immigrants into American culture as easily as other European groups.  Families were kept apart, which caused a loss of generations.  In our current economy, citizens can still be quick to blame immigrants for job losses and low wages, just as was the case years ago.

Quiz Response:

From the quiz, the question that was of most interest to me was the arrest of Dr. Wen Ho Lee.  It is incredible to me that even in 1999 such prejudice was present.  This was an educated man of scientific value to the United States, and the fact that he spent nine months in solitary confinement for a false charge is inexcusable.

Eyewitness Accounts:

Grandmother Lee’s account tells of the difficulties faced by Chinese women.  Her bound feet and confined lifestyle did not transfer well to the United States, where the earthquake literally shook these women out of their comfort zones.  Her detainment due to filariasis proved to be powerful in working to change immigration law, but I’m sure she was just heartbroken to be separated from her children, especially so recently after the death of her husband.  It was so sad that her past still haunted her, and she was not able to enjoy her granddaughter’s success in the speech contest many years later.

Helen Zia considers herself much more in tune with American culture than Chinese.  Her parents tell her about the past in China, which is no different than any American teenager’s grandparents’ stories about walking to school in the snow.  Helen’s world is America, where she grew up.  She knows nothing of the world her parents wish for her to embrace. 

The drive that Shirley Young possesses made her successful.  It is interesting to note that she saw accomplished women both in Asia and the United States.  Shirley knew that she wanted to do something meaningful with her life, and pushed until she achieved it.  Her opinion of the United States as a warm and welcome atmosphere is uplifting. 

 

 

Memorable Characters

The Monkey King:

As the novel opens, the Monkey King is presented as a powerful, yet gentle leader of his species.  Lured to the dinner party, the reader can view his changing personality through the illustration of his narrowed eyes.  After being dismissed, and the displaying of his power through hurting his enemies, he realizes he is dissatisfied with his life.  He ignores his subjects to spend time in training, focusing only on himself and the deity he wants to become.  Upon meeting Tze-Yo-Tzuh, he truly becomes “too big for his britches”, and is punished through exile.  At this point in the novel, I agree that this punishment was justified, and I am hoping that the Monkey King will have plenty of time to reconsider his actions!

Jin Wang:

The author intrigued me with his presentation of Jin Wang as a character.  I liked the way he integrated the introduction of Jin Wang, his parents’ history, and the herbalist’s prediction all within a few pages.  I am curious to see how the “transformer” prediction plays out.  While I felt sorry for Jin Wang as he had to correct his insensitive teacher and face the bullying, I was angry at the way he acted the same towards Wei-Chen.  The struggle he has in gaining the courage to speak to Amelia is definitely relatable to teenagers everywhere today.  In addition, his desire to fit in by perming his hair is a typical middle school issue.

Chin-Kee:

This character cracked me up.  While I knew that he was meant to represent a cultural stereotype, the author presents him as so over-the-top that I can’t help but laugh.  The use of dialect and humor add to his development.  Of course, he knows all the answers in Danny’s classes, which is what society equates with Asian students.  The embarrassment that Danny feels is similar to teenage discomfort with anything that draws unwanted attention, and Chin-Kee is definitely unwanted!  

Two-Voice Poem

I am the Great Sage, Equal of Heaven.

                                                                                                I am the Transformer.

Born of a rock, I belong to no one.

                                                                                                Belonging to my parents,

                                                                                                an engineer and librarian,                                                                                                    residing in Chinatown.

Shoes on my feet

                                                                                                Perm in my hair

Flying through the boundaries of reality

                                                                                                In love with an American

                                                                                                girl

Buried under a mountain of rock

                                                                                                Isolated as a F.O.B.

Angry and embarrassed, I strike

out at those who doubt me.

                                                                                                Angry and embarrassed,

                                                                                                I strike out at those who

                                                                                                care about me.

My enemies consider me unworthy

of leadership.

                                                                                                My enemies consider me

                                                                                                unworthy of inclusion.

I had forgotten from whence I came,

but after my journey wish to serve as

a conscience for those who question

being true to themselves.

                                                                                                Following the tragedies of

                                                                                                transforming, I want to

                                                                                                regain my identity.

I am the Monkey King.

                                                                                    I am Jin Wang.