Abstract In this article, the writer discusses what it means for the child of a Chinese family to be a first generation ChineseAmerican. For this study, the writer uses information presented in Jade Snow Wong's book, 'Fifth Chinese Daughter'. Further, the writer examines how the assimilation process may change family values.
From the Paper "In Jade Snow Wong's memoir 'Fifth Chinese Daughter' the author tells the story of one Chinese family's adjustment to life in the United States. Told from the point of view of the family's fifth daughter, Jade Snow, the book examines not only the way in which two different cultures clash, but how two generations of the same family might be at odds over what path in life is most appropriate. Indeed, 'Fifth Chinese Daughter' is an exploration of how family values and culture are affected when the ... "
Abstract This paper discusses Chinese immigration to the United States from 1848 and looks at how the laws relating to Chinese immigrants have developed up until today. The paper then focuses on how Chinatown in San Francisco has affected the American way of life and how San Fransisco's tourism has never suffered due to the appeal of its Chinatown. Specifically, the paper looks at how San Francisco's Chinatown has affected the status of ChineseAmericans.
From the Paper "There is also the ancient tradition of homeopathic medicines that is beginning to filter into traditional American medicine. In the 19th Century Chinese medicine many times was all that was available and it served the need for Chinese and non-Chinese alike. Medicine was primitive at best in the west. There were no anesthetics, vaccines or surgeries available. Chinese Americans understood the benefits of herbs for medicinal purposes and it was their knowledge that was used throughout the United States to deal with injuries and diseases (Lyman 23)."
Abstract This paper addresses the complex division that exists between Chinese-Americans at different stages of assimilation into American culture. It presents these ideas by analyzing David Henry Hwang's play, "FOB", in which he uses characters at different stages to illustrate the prejudice that exists between first generation and American-born Chinese-Americans.
From the Paper "Assimilation of Chinese-Americans in FOB David Henry Hwang's play, FOB, addresses the complex division that exists between Chinese-Americans at different stages of assimilation into American culture. Hwang uses characters at different stages to illustrate the prejudice that exists between first generation and American-born Chinese-Americans. The characters have many things in common, but relate to their Chinese background very differently. This makes the play interesting while allowing Hwang to make his point: Chinese Americans must find some relationship with their Chinese roots to be happy as Chinese-Americans. The prejudice between Dale and Steve is a primary conflict in FOB. Steve is an F.O.B., "fresh off the boat," and this obviously makes Dale uncomfortable. Dale is second generation and allies himself more with American culture, often critical of China."
Abstract The communist revolution in China crystallized and intensified the hostility between Washington and Peking. This was because the Americans had supported the Nationalist regime of Chiang Kai Shek, who had alienated the Chinese masses. The corruption of Chiang, therefore, had played a big role in fuelling the momentum of the communist revolution, which had no choice but to take on an anti-American disposition. The Korean War, which followed subsequently, solidified the antagonism between Chinese communism and the United States.
Abstract This paper examines the sociological and cultural acclimatization of Chinese-Americans by exploring the history of their arrival. The writer explains that this assimilation has been made even harder because Americans do not understand the importance ongoing culture plays in the Chinese family's life.
From the Paper "The Chinese American population holds a unique position in American history. The majority of the initial population of Chinese immigrants arrived in this county under coolie labor contracts, which were similar to the African slaves of the plantations of the South. The Chinese coolies were treated as disposable labor, and given less than full citizen status until the middle of the 1940?s. However, this group did not let the American culture assimilate them; rather the Chinese Americans built their own collective identity, which was a unique reflection of the rich Chinese heritage they left behind."
Abstract This paper discusses the nature of modern literature written by Chinese-American authors. It analyzes common themes and trends in this literature style. Works examined include Eric Liu's "The Accidental Asian" and Maxine Hong Kingston's "The Woman Warrior". It also looks at Lisa See's "On Gold Mountain" and Amy Tan's novel "The Joy Luck Club". The paper discusses issues such as the language style used in these novels and common themes.
From the Paper "A substantial body of Chinese American writing emerged in the 1970s and the flow of novels, stories, poems, family histories and memoirs has grown steadily ever since. Although there is great variety among these (mostly) second-generation writers the predominant focus of their work has been on questions that have evolved around the phenomenon of being Asian in America. The majority of these writers have forgotten most of their Chinese, never having learned it much beyond their pre-school years, and they write about the difficulty of balancing on the biracial, bicultural cusp between the old-world ways of their parents and their own lives as speakers of American English functioning in a culture that was, and often remains, entirely foreign to their parents. As these American-born Chinese (ABCs) attempt to assess their own place in a nation where they constitute a very small percentage of a population that is sometimes hostile toward them they are also, like most immigrants' children, compelled to wonder about the culture from which they came. The dilemma of their own "Chineseness" is the question underlying all the works discussed here. But there are nearly as many ways of approaching the question as there are writers. The present discussion of various kinds of literary production by a number of contemporary Chinese-American writers will, therefore, concentrate on why writers chose particular forms, how these approaches facilitate the questions they want to ask, and what answers they have found to the essential question of what it means to be "Chinese" in America."
Abstract This paper examines and analyzes the issue of human rights in China, and explores whether human rights has negatively effected Chinese-American relations over the last forty years.
Abstract The paper attempts to explore the historiography of Chinese-Americans and the impact that the Exclusion Act had on shaping the course of Chinese-American culture. The paper examines why so many Chinese immigrants continued to flock to America in droves if they knew of the hardships and discrimination they would face in America. The paper discovers several historical myths that are not based on primary sources or quantitative data. The paper presents a new approach to Chinese-American history and claims that it will have a dramatic impact on future perceptions of Chinese-Americans.
Outline:
History and Impact of the Exclusion Act
Identity Crisis
A New Generation of Historiographers
Location Specific Works
On Primary Sources
From the Paper "Erik Lee explored the impact and motive behind the actions of Chinese immigrants in his book At America's Gates. Lee relates the experiences of Chinese Americans to the immigration story of his Grandfather. In this case, he has first had knowledge of the events and their impact on Chinese Americans. This personal experience apparently sparked his interest in the topic of how the Exclusion act impacted other Chinese American Immigrants and their families. Lee uses primary sources to draw his conclusions and support his thesis. He relied exclusively on the documents of immigrants and those that were deported as his data source. This gives his work an incredible air of reliability."
This paper provides an examination of the soaring career, culture, and works of Chinese-American author Amy Tan with a special emphasis on her novel, "The Hundred Secret Senses".
2,400 words (approx. 9.6 pages), 10 sources, 2001, $ 73.95
Abstract This paper examines the life, career and literature of best-selling Chinese-American author Amy Tan. The author focuses specifically on her novel "The Hundred Secret Senses", and examines the history of Chinese-American immigrants, the discrimination they were subjected to, and the pressures of assimilation into American culture. The paper also looks at the pull between Chinese tradition and American way of life, and how Tan struggles with this issue in her writing.
From the Paper "In only a handful of novels, Amy Tan has brought us the legends and stories of her background. She has introduced the American public to a new world of fiction, based on her own experiences mingled with the experiences of her ancestors in their beloved homeland of China . In these stories, she has shown herself to be a writer of uncommon technical skills, powers of observation, and richness of humanity, a combination of gifts that inspires her many readers to eager anticipation of her future works."
Abstract In this paper, the films of Chinese-American directors John Woo and Ang Lee are considered in relation to Chinese and Americanized film genres. Here, Woo's "Face/Off" (1997) and Lee's "Sense and Sensibility" (1995) are examined for elements of Chinese culture and influence. This paper suggests that each director represent a different aspect of Chinese film, but that Woo's attention to the genre of action films compares most particularly with the martial arts genre made famous in Chinese film industries.
Abstract This paper examines how the Chinese immigrants arrived in San Joaquin Valley, California, mainly because of the California Gold Rush, and how the San Joaquin Valley, in particular, was rich in gold deposits. It looks at the history of discrimination against the Chinese-Americans, including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. It also explores the cultural contributions of the Chinese-Americans and how they incorporated their own traditions in their new life style, thus giving rise to a unique culture.
From the Paper "Not to be left behind, they eagerly participated in all kinds of events and activities, be it political, social or religious. A Chinese American community was established. Taoism was the chief religion which they practiced and religious meetings were held regularly. When President Zachary Taylor died, the Chinese immigrants actively led and participated in his funeral procession. When California was allowed entry into the Union, they celebrated and the 1952 Fourth of July Parade in San Francisco comprised a great number of prominent members of the Chinese American community."
Abstract This paper reviews Gish Jens' short story "In the American Society" about the Chang family, with the father Ralph as focal point. The paper shows that the story is divided into two sections: 'His Own Society' and 'In the American Society' and, taken together, both sections illustrate Ralph Chang's transformation from old country Chinese-American to new country Chinese-American on his own terms.
From the Paper "When Ralph opens a pancake house, the business becomes successful quickly which confirms Ralph's belief that the way he does business is the best way. Ralph's confidence rises and not just due to his new riches. He feels freer to express himself. As daughter Callie says, when "the business continued to thrive, my father started to talk about his grandfather and the village he had reigned over in China -- things my father had never talked about when he worked for other people" (643). Although his wife gives him sound advice regarding the American way of doing business, Ralph prefers to conduct his business using his grandfather's methods. This proves to be a disastrous business decision."
Abstract This paper presents an interview with a Chinese-American woman, Eileen Liu, who immigrated to America as a youth. The paper begins by describing Eileen's childhood in Taipei and then discusses the events surrounding her family's immigration to the United States. The interviewer presents some of her reactions to Eileen's story as a Chinese-American herself.
Table of Contents:
Life History of Eileen Liu
Eileen's Point of View
From the Paper "As a mother and working woman, Eileen does not currently appear to have specifically high goals or ambitions. Basically she has obtained most of her youthful ambitions: a college degree, a job that pays well, material comforts such as a car and a house, and a family life with her husband and children. At the moment her focus is very much on her family and home life, and I get the feeling that her professional ambitions suffer a bit as a result. When her children grow up, however, she should be able to cultivate a more ambitious professional life. Right now the greatest of her ambitions seem to be on providing her children with all the material comforts and educational opportunities that money makes possible. Eileen herself substantiates this with her assertion that she is a typical mother with high expectations of her children. This is reminiscent of her original culture - the elders expect children to do their bidding and meet their expectations. Furthermore, Eileen does not feel that stress is a bad thing for children. In fact, this element helps them to always finish things on time. In this way, she applies her own lessons of childhood to raising her own children. She has achieved the level of professionalism and family in her life, because there were certain pressures upon her. Eileen therefore feels that a fair amount of such pressure on her own children would inspire them and help them to become self-disciplined, as she had been."
Abstract The paper offers an intimate glimpse of racism and its impact on the individuals who are adversely affected, by sharing the experiences of Maria Cheng, a 24-year-old second-generation Chinese, born and raised in California.
From the Paper "With their distinctive physical features that distinguish them from other racial groups in American society, Chinese Americans have faced racism throughout the history of their existence in America. During late 19th century, laws were passed that barred Chinese immigration and forbade Chinese from testifying in federal courts against white men (Fung 37). Although Chinese Americans no longer face the same kind of prejudice and have made great strides in establishing themselves in American society, they still suffer from discrimination today."
Abstract "Shawn Wong, in his novel American Knees, explores some of the problems faced by a young Chinese-American as he attempts to work, live and love in the United States. As the book begins, Raymond Ding is being divorced by his wife Darleen, a situation which cuts him off not only from her but from the relative cultural stability his association with her family has previously provided him.
From the Paper "Shawn Wong, in his novel American Knees, explores some of the problems faced by a young Chinese-American as he attempts to work, live and love in the United States. As the book begins, Raymond Ding is being divorced by his wife Darleen, a situation which cuts him off not only from her but from the relative cultural stability his association with her family has previously provided him. Although the book certainly attempts to examine important racial and gender issues, Wong's inconsistency as a writer and his lack of control over his material limit the effectiveness of this important examination.
At times, the book's comic tone produces an almost farcical reality, as in the opening scene which focuses on the divorce and is intended to establish a foundation for what is to follow (11-14). At other times, the discussions about serious issues seem..."
