Kitchen God's Wife

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer looks at the book "The Kitchen God's Wife" by Amy Tan. The writer points out that "The Kitchen Gods Wife" concerns a Chinese mother and American-raised daughter whom, like many mothers and daughters across the world, have kept secrets from each other. The writer discusses that as soon as the book opens up, Tan approaches the communication problem between Winnie and Pearl. The writer notes that Pearl, who appears to want to forget her Chinese roots, has had multiple sclerosis for seven years and has not yet told her mother. The writer notes that, similar to other mother/daughter pairs, once Pearl and Winnie do communicate, they are so much the better for it.

From the Paper:

"No one has a childhood without some kind of trauma, and each person handles it differently. Some people do not remember being abused as a child, and in their adult years wonder why they are depressed and have such low self-esteem. With help, they are able to get better as they deal with the past. Other people never face their past, and drown themselves in alcohol, or abuse their own children. Pearl has not yet dealt with her trauma--her father dying. For years, she has been holding in her sadness and anger at his leaving her. Much of this anger is directed to her mother. Why didn't her mother do something to keep him alive? An irrational thought, but children do believe that their parents have the ability to make things right. Pearl's nightmares about her father continue, because part of her refuses to say goodbye once and for all. Also, like the Kitchen God story, she has to admit she was wrong."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Tan, Amy. The Kitchen God's Wife. New York: Putnam, 1991.

More papers on Kitchen God's Wife:

• Book Review # 97146 : "The Kitchen God's Wife"--A Review"
• Book Review # 97235 : "Amy Tan's "The Kitchen God's Wife"
• Analytical Essay # 65831 : "The Kitchen God's Wife"

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