Comparing and contrast Amy Tan and O `Connor Essay Example
Comparing and contrast Amy Tan and O `Connor Essay Example

Comparing and contrast Amy Tan and O `Connor Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (356 words)
  • Published: February 22, 2022
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Both Amy Tan and O`Connor, who are prolific writers, explore the issue of racial discrimination in their works. They depict the discrimination faced by black people in America by white individuals. Additionally, both authors utilize child protagonists to highlight the contrast between their innocence and the knowledge of their caregivers regarding racial discrimination. This piece of work aims to compare and contrast Jing-mei from Amy Tan's story "Two Kids" and Julian from O`Connor's story "Everything that Rises Must Converge." Jing Mei is characterized as a rebellious child caught between her Chinese mother's family and her American father's family. She defies her mother's wishes by wanting to reunite with her Chinese relatives.

The girl in "Everything That Rises Must Converge" understands her mother's intention to use her as a weapon against Lindo Jong. Jing Mei feels self-hatred towards her mother and wishes

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she were dead. Similarly, in O'Connor's novel, the child character Julian experiences racial prejudice. Julian's white mother discriminates against people of other races and Julian observes her mother's reactions to black passengers. Julian is resentful and does not agree with his mother's cultural perceptions based on dress code. When Julian's mother is knocked down by Carver's black mother, Julian sympathizes with the black woman and tells his mother that she deserved it. Both children exhibit similar characteristics in their stories.

Both characters in the stories appear to be devoted to their mothers, as indicated by their exclusive conversations with their own mothers and the absence of any mention of their fathers. Additionally, both characters oppose their mothers, holding conflicting opinions. They also share a disapproval of their mothers' discriminatory attitudes towards people of black ethnicity. Disrespec

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towards their parents is another common characteristic observed in both children. However, there are notable differences between the two. Jing Mei's conflict with her mother revolves around career choices, whereas Julian's conflict stems from racial issues. Julian exhibits sympathy for her mother when she is harmed, whereas Jing Mei does not reconcile with her mother, having entirely different perspectives throughout the story.

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