Cultural Criticism

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the book, "The Eighth Promise" by Poy William Lee, which relates the story of a child born in America of Chinese parents. The paper comments that, in writing the book, the author Poy William Lee tells about his collective experiences as a Chinese-American. The paper also points out that one of the most fascinating aspects of the book is that it highlights not simply the pluralism of America, but the pluralism of Chinese culture as well.

From the Paper:

"The Chinese marginalization from the greater part of Californian society was a decision of the community's elites, not the community as a whole, as would be the custom back in Poy Jen's village. This exclusion was reinforced by Chinese leaders as much as white leaders, and for their own corrupt purposes, not the common good. Younger Chinese men like William resisted this exclusion, and the idea that they had to choose between being a part of a Chinese community and America. They were intent upon destroying the false stereotype of the 'good Asian' who resists political involvement, and were inspired by African-American resistance to Southern racism."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Lee, Poy William. The Eighth Promise. San Francisco: Rodale Books, 2007.

More papers on Cultural Criticism:

• Essay # 86982 : "Contemporary Cultural Criticism"
• Book Review # 71225 : "Cultural Criticism of Northanger Abbey"
• Book Review # 107776 : "The Cultural Contradictions of Capitalism"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: