Two Kinds

Two 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 Tan's 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 Approach

Biographical and Marxist/Sociological Approaches are the most appropriate tools to better understand the story. As aforementioned, Amy Tan's life is very similar with that of Jing-mei's. Tan was born in Oakland, California to parents who immigrated to the United States from China. Thus, this made Tan's 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 author's intention and audience. Tan's 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-mei's mother, a Chinese immigrant, feels that she has to prove something to the society. There is a need to elevate one's 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/Discussion

In 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 Tan's life to Jing-mei's.

"I was told what I was supposed to do when I was growing up, so I don't think I ever had a chance to think about what I really wanted to do." - Amy Tan

Two Kinds is a reflection of Amy Tan's life. Her mother is portrayed by Suyuan. Amy's 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 A's from the time I was in kindergarten. I remember, I was in kindergarten and there was a little girl who I didn't 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 didn't think it was very good but they decided to pin hers up in the Principal's office. So that was like getting the "A." My mother wanted to know. Why wasn't my picture in that window? I was very wounded and frightened. You know? Why wasn't 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 children's 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. I'd 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