Two Kinds Essay Example

Jing-mei harbors uncertainty about this perspective, which her mother voiced when she was merely nine years old. America was a beacon of hope for her mother, who established her life in San Francisco in 1949 after suffering significant losses in China - the demise of her parents, the forfeiture of her ancestral home, and the tragic loss of her first husband and twin daughters. With her relentless determination, she continually overcame adversities that occurred along her path without a backward glance filled with regret. Each time Jing-mei glimpses into the mirror, a particular struggle troubles her.

Jing-mei's mother subjected her to daily examinations, resulting in continuous annoyance as Jing-mei never concentrated on the precise subjects of learning. The stress from Suyuan for Jing-mei to excel was overwhelming. Suyuan frequently held the conviction that her daughter could match or even outdo the children she observed on TV in grace and intellect. This sparked an internal struggle within Jing-mei, pushing her nearly towards madness because she wasn't innately talented and couldn't meet her mother's high standards.

Jing-mei stated that 'upon seeing my mother's dissatisfied demeanor again, something inside me began to fade'. On that particular day, before going to sleep, Jing-mei faced the angry part of her face mirrored back at her - a part she didn't recognize. This anger drove Jing-mei to resist her mother by rejecting the tasks put in front of her. Furthermore, through her stubbornness, resilience and severity, Jing-mei aims to establish and affirm her distinct individuality.

Suyuan noticed a sudden shift in her daughter's behaviour, particularly a lack of interest during testing sessions. Sadly, her dream of Jing-mei

becoming a prodigy seemed to evaporate, leading to a loss of hope. Suyuan's motivation behind pushing Jing-mei was because she herself had never had such opportunities. She believed that Jing-mei could live a luxurious life if she took advantage of these chances. Consequently, Jing-mei was encouraged by her mother to learn piano.

This text is a sequel to a tale about a Chinese girl who played the piano on TV. Jing-mei's decision to quit her piano lessons, claiming she wasn't extraordinarily gifted, greatly upset and disappointed her mother, causing her to call Jing-mei 'ungrateful.' Even when confronted with her mother's rage and accusations, Jing-mei stubbornly held firm, declining further piano instruction. This resistance profoundly impacted her mother, especially when Jing-mei voiced a powerful emotional proclamation that she wished she was 'dead like them'.

The sharp reference to Suyuan's miscarried children in China was the final breaking point that crumbled her influential mentality. Jing-mei likewise expressed her regret of being her mother's daughter. Suyuan was taken aback by this harsh remark, causing her face to darken, her lips to close, her arms to droop, and ultimately leading her to withdraw from the room in shock. Consequently, Jing-mei was no longer susceptible to her mother's controlling orders. Following this encounter, Jing-mei caused several disappointments to her mother.

Jing-mei didn't succeed in having straight A's or becoming class president. Not only did she fail to gain admission into Stanford University, but she also ended up as a college dropout. However, Suyuan, her mother, continued to support her during these challenging periods despite Jing-mei's behavior towards her. This is partly because of her unconditional love and

partly because she had learned to exercise more patience with her daughter. Suyuan never gave up on the hope that Jing-mei would become a piano prodigy. For her thirtieth birthday, Suyuan presented Jing-mei with a piano - a gift that came with the expectation of excellency but no overt pressure.

It was only after her mother's death that Jing-mei understood the importance of the piano gift she received from her. Overwhelmed with emotions, Jing-mei looked at the piano and began to play 'Pleading Child', a piece she had played during a recital in her youth. She then stumbled upon another song titled 'Perfectly Contented' on the next page. While playing, Jing-mei contemplated on these paired songs’ titles. She observed that while 'Pleading Child' was short yet slow-paced, 'Perfectly Contented', on the other hand, was more extended but fast.

The harsh and unsettled expectations bestowed on Jing-mei during her childhood were merely a manifestation of Suyuan's deep conviction and love. After performing them several times, Jing-mei understood that they were two parts of one melody. Consequently, the 'Pleading child' from Jing-mei's past, finally aware of her mother's genuine intentions, has become 'perfectly satisfied'. Both internal and external conflicts were encompassed in the storyline, boosting its authenticity. The mother holds boundless prospects for her daughter's future in America.

The primary reason was Jing-mei's mother not having equivalent possibilities in China. She held a firm belief that her daughter could truly excel if she remained determined. Watching other children showcasing their talents on TV, she believed Jing-mei could also do the same with focused dedication. Additionally, Jing-mei's mother desired for her daughter to seize the

educational opportunities available in America. She felt despair when Jing-mei didn't show any enthusiasm towards her studies.

Jing-mei perceived her mother, Suyuan's anticipations of her as impractical. Their conversations seem authentic, filled with annoyance and dissatisfaction. Yet, a change in tone is evident towards the conclusion. The storyteller's perspective evolves from being juvenile to more grown-up, reflecting Jing-mei's self-doubt. She never quite comprehends why her mother pressured her; if she had understood it better, perhaps she could have accomplished more.

Initially, Jing-mei embraced Suyuan's guidance wholeheartedly. However, as time passed, she began to feel burdened and believed her mother was exerting excessive pressure on her while stealing away her joyous youth. She persuaded herself that this was the conclusion. The narrative clearly illustrates a generational clash between a mother and daughter from contrasting backgrounds with differing ideologies. The essence of the story appears to pivot around Amy Tan's personal encounters, especially her bond with her mother. Even though these specific incidents never occurred in Tan's life, they serve symbolically to encompass her experiences.

Jing-mei's narrative serves as a prism reflecting the inherent sentiments and emotions portrayed in the story. Furthermore, Amy Tan's 'Two Kinds' offers an enriched understanding of the daily tribulations faced by individuals from low income, working class backgrounds, frequently emphasizing their afflictions and adversities. This piece of literature is examined within its political and cultural backdrop, investigating the interface between its characters/artists and their societal environment. Through 'Two Kinds', Amy Tan seeks to illustrate how parents often try to control their children's lives, potentially drawing from her own life experiences.

Excessive expectation can lead to suffocation. At first,

Jing-mei felt deep resentment against her mother 'Suyuan' for her overly controlling behavior, but later she forgave her. She understood that Suyuan's intentions were purely grounded in love and her desire to provide the best for her daughter. As she matured, Jing-mei recognized that her mother's behavior wasn't about exerting control but showing love. The story 'Two kinds' showcases the Chinese customs of respect towards elders and overall courteousness, providing a glimpse into the dynamics of their culture and economics.

Disregard for the elderly is considered intolerable in Chinese society. It's a widely held view among the Chinese that instilling fear is an effective means of enforcing discipline in children. The exercise of parental authority in Chinese culture is typically deeply embedded, often without realization. While Suyuan was raised and cultured in China, Jing-mei was brought up with American influences. As a result, their environmental upbringing significantly differed. It has become crucial for foreigners or immigrants who have adopted America as their home to blend into and establish themselves within this new community.

The American society needs to embrace them, a fact that is only established by indicating their affiliation to a superior race. However, Tan portrays both Suyuan and Jing-mei as highly contrasting extremes, with Jing-mei essentially illustrated as Suyuan's antithesis. [Bloom, Harold 5] Jing-mei often questioned why she was treated differently from her peers and why her mother held so much sway over her life and was excessively demanding. While she wasn't fond of her mother's way and method of exerting pressure, the urge to attain and become someone never faded.

Suyuan bore an aspiration for her daughter, Jing-mei, to

achieve what she could not, making Jing-mei Suyuan's last opportunity for this. Suyuan's tenacious demeanor was also noteworthy. As a housemaid, she fervently hoped to bestow the finest education and abilities to her daughter in order to protect her from the adversities of life that she had endured herself. Despite encountering numerous hurdles on her path, Jing-mei eventually reached an improved societal status. At some point in her life, she expressed appreciation towards Suyuan for the inspiration she offered which consequently allowed Jing-mei to attain profound fulfillment.

Jing-mei opted not to succumb to her mother’s demands, but in doing so, disowned her heritage and traditions. Kids from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds often decline to believe in their parents' aspirations for their prosperous future. Regardless of whether their parents are right or misguided, many children do not realise the worth of aligning themselves to a goal, mastering a particular skill or implementing their parents' strategy. Jing-mei retaliates against her worried mother with the most robust verbal offense she can summon, painfully reminding her about a heartrending incident in her past.

In undertakings, Jing-mei felt as though she had triumphed over a conflict. However, she had not genuinely succeeded. Amy Tan's 'Two Kinds' can be compared to two contrasting songs, which, when played by Jing-mei, she recognized were merely two aspects of the same melody. Similarly, despite the differences between Suyuan and Jing-mei, none could completely transform into an exceptional performer. In juxtaposition, they moulded one another. It was only upon her mother's demise that Jing-mei understood the dynamic nature of her mother's character.

During the times she compared their relationship to the

tunes in the Piano book, Jing-mei and her mother were like two halves of a single melody. Jing-mei's method of grappling with this was to distance herself from the submissive quietness she saw in traditional Chinese women and that she feared would be mirrored in her American life. Additionally, she found herself influenced by her societal ‘role’ and external expectations. [Huntley, E. D 4] As much as Suyuan seemed to be the defiant one, in reality, she was a victim of her own convictions.

In the end, she wishes to lead a comfortable life and strives to mold her daughter into a prodigy. However, Suyuan's motivation ironically leads her daughter off course. The narrative 'Two Kinds' authored by Amy Tan encapsulates numerous aspects such as autonomy in decision-making, control over one's fate, and chasing the 'American dream'. Nonetheless, the concluding paragraph of 'Two Kinds' mirrors its pivotal theme - 'the quest for an individual's authentic identity'. [Romagnolo, Catherine 9]

Amy Tan presents various perspectives of the American dream through her primary characters, Suyuan and Jing-mei, who each hold a unique vision of this dream as expressed through their actions and characters. The story 'Two Kinds' illustrates a daughter's unending battle with her mother regarding her individuality. Amy Tan depicts Jing-mei as a character whose dreams are suppressed, complying with her parents' desires even if it involves fulfilling tasks against her will, but ultimately defending what she believes in.

In truth, Suyuan and Jing-mei are striving to choose the right prodigy. Amy Tan successfully illustrates to the readers the various perspectives her characters have towards the American dream. Suyuan has a more

practical approach, seeing the American Dream as a powerful motivator to work hard and attain any potentially desirable goal. Conversely, her daughter perceives the American dream as exacerbating the focus on material wealth, which is interpreted as the sole measure of success and contentment.

The primary focus is how Jing-mei's arrival at adulthood allows her audience to connect with her youthful emotions and behaviors. Amy Tan has shown that the character’s voice and the narrator's can create a connection between the reader and the narrative. [Souris, Stephen 3] Amy Tan's unique accomplishment through this novel is not in showcasing how mothers and daughters frustrate each other, but in conveying how they love and ultimately forgive each other.