a woman warrior
The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston presents the story of a girl trapped between the cultures of her surrounding environment and that which her mother and family have forced upon her. Knowing only the Chinese way of life, this girl’s mother attempts to familiarize her daughter, whom is also the narrator, with the history of their family. The mother shares this heritage through the use of stories in hopes the narrator will be prepared for her ultimate return to China, which is a life completely foreign to her own. Through these stories and the strong influence of the surrounding American culture, the narrator’s life and imagination spin off in a new direction. She is confronted by many obstacles, which cause problems with not only her mother, but also with her attempt to discover her personal identity. Although the narrator’s assimilation to the American culture causes numerous conflicts with her mother, she is able to overcome adversity and come of age as a Chinese!-American with the help of her mother’s stories. In Kingston’s first story, “No Name Woman,” the reader is first introduced to the stories of the narrator’s mother. This particular tale involves an aunt that the narrator never knew, w . . .
This shows that the narrator does not only disapprove of the Chinese culture, but also feels sorry for those who must suffer in an eternity of exile. Similarly, the narrator could possibly feel the same distance as her uncle, which causes miscommunication and abandonment with the only family she has known. This story added on to those her mother told about World War II fighter planes, which terrified the narrator for many years. ” The narrator’s dream-state takes readers into the mind of a girl who attempts to please her mother and entire family by becoming a woman warrior. Although her mother expected her daughter to become a wife or a slave, the narrator had a different idea; she would “grow up a woman warrior” (20). Second, she had to deal with the hassle of going to a Chinese school in the afternoon. Although not apparent, this can be seen as a breakthrough for the narrator. ” Her aunt, who had just arrived from China, finds the narrator’s lifestyle so fascinating. It was not until years later, after moving away from home, did she realize the invisible trap her family had set for her. While feeling sympathy for this lit! tle girl, we also feel sympathy for the narrator as well. These expectations increased when she was in the presence of “great power, [her] mother talking story” (20). In the end, however, she realizes that she must leave home if she is ever to discover her purpose in the world, be it in China or America. She is now able to build the strength to confront her mother in later years. However, the narrator feels an intense connection with the outcast of her family. The reader can additionally see the influence of American culture on Moon Orchid’s husband and how difficult it would be for him to change.
Common topics in this essay:
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