The Symbolism and Narration of Amy Tan’s “Two Kinds”

Amy tan demonstrates a babys struggle for identity in her story Two Kinds. This essay analyses the writing techniques Tan uses in order to express the struggle between parent and child in which the child is struggling to take a leak her give identity. Typical in Asian cultures, Tan describes the parents desire for a child prodigy by dint of strict discipline and expected child obedience.Living in America exposes Jing-mei to American influence. Jing-meis amaze however spent the majority of her life in China, and expects her child to behave as she would had she been raised in China. This essay depicts American cultural influence as 1 way to condone Jing-mei and her set abouts contrasting views the main idea of this essay however is to demonstrate Tans use of symbolisation and narration to depict the traditional struggle between parent and child.Amy Tan uses the main character, Jing-mei to represent the emblematic American pre-teen who is fixed to break free from her sustain s uncontrollable need to make her a prodigy. Jing-mei is a rounded main character which the subscriber is able to enchant grow emotion tout ensembley throughout the story her need to be herself and defend her position is an important theme throughout Two Kinds. Tan uses the first soul narration to draw the reader in personally to JIng-mei and what she is experiencing. The reader can get word Jing-meis thoughts and disappointments.The minor character, Jing-meis become, is a flat character in comparison to her daughter. The reader is uneffective to really know what the fret is thinking because of Tans use of second person narration. To care the reader understand the begets actions, Tan describes the aims history briefly discussed within the first page of the story. Using an important writing technique, Tan gives the reader a look into the mothers painful history enough for the reader to understand the mothers motives as they watch her drill her daughter on popular American trivia facts and not stopping even aft(prenominal) Jeing-mei protestations.The opening line of Two Kinds is especially important to understanding the mothers motives. Jing-mei, the narrator tells the interview, my mother believed you could be anything you wanted to be in America (468). This sentence describes the hopes and dreams of Jing-meis mother. Tan goes on to explain the mothers perception of America she believes America is the answer to all their problems.The readers are not told what happened to her stay family in China, but it resulted in death and that is enough for the reader to sympathize with the mother and her controlling behavior. The narrator, JIng-mei, gives the audience an understanding of the mothers motives this understanding is important in order for Tan to communicate her put across of a daughter-mother relationship.The reader has the advantage of knowing the mothers reasoning for pushing Jing-mei to be the surpass Jing-mei however, does not. By using first person narration, the reader experiences Jing-meis frustration at being make to perform against her will. In the beginning of Two Kinds however, Jing-mei is excited at the prospect of being famous. Jing-mei thinks, in all of my imaginings, I was filled with a sense that I would soon be perfect the reader almost feels sorry for the little girl for many expectants can sympathize.Many people can remember a time of innocence when they thought they could do anything, that they could be the perfect child their parents imagined them to be. This need to fill a parents high expectations is cause for harsh disappointment as Jing-mei discovers. After witnessing her mothers disappointment anger begins to burn inside Jing-mei at having to perform ridiculous tests. This rage turns to an inner protest Tan portrays this rebellion as Jing-meis disinterest in test questions.Even after her mother goes through trouble of trading house cleaning for pianissimo assai lessons, Jing-mei puts in minimal effort. This child rebellion is common in American children rather than risking being a disappointment, Jing-mei protects her feelings by acting as if she doesnt care. Tan writes of Jing-meis private protest, so now on nights when my mother presented her tests, I performed listlessly, my head propped on one arm. I pretended to be bored. And I was (470). Jing-mei became her own prodigy.The storys title, Two Kinds, is a description of the theme of the story. The title of Tans story is a symbol of the twain generations and two cultures depicted in Two Kinds. The mother is from China, with Chinese traditions and Jing-mei was raised in America, influenced by Americas culture where children had more say and questioned their parents judgments as Jing-mei finally did when she accused her mother of wanting her to be a genius. There is a distinct gap between mother and daughter as seen in some(prenominal) generational and cultural differences.The most important use of symbolism in Two Kind s is the indulgent. The piano becomes the striking between Jing-mei and her mother although this is not clear to Jing-mei during childhood. Jing-mei is angered by being forced to play the piano and purposely doesnt take it serious much like the way Jing-mei does not take her mothers dreams for a prodigy serious.Underlying the rebellion Jing-mei demonstrates during her piano lessons she finds the chance to play in a talent designate exiting her excitement reveals that small part of her that still wants to please her mother and be the little prodigy her mother hopes for. Jing-mei describes her puerile excitement to make her mother proud, she says, When my turn came, I was very confident. I remember my childish excitement. It was as if I knew, without a doubt, that the prodigy side of me really did exist (474). Tan accurately portrays a childs inner desire to please her parent, as she writes of Jing-meis sudden excitement. All Jing-meis protests were forgotten and she had a chance to make her mom proud.Tans narrative style allows the reader to see the full extent of Jing-meis emotional growth. The narrator is Jing-mei as an adult, looking back at this specific time of her childhood in refection. It isnt until she is an adult that she can appreciate what her mother was nerve-racking to accomplish during her childhood. The narrator realized that everything changed after the disastrous recital. Her mothers dreams seemed to fade after JIng-mei demonstrate what she had learned throughout her lessons.Tan showed a mothers unconditional love for her child by the mother insisting that Jing-mei continue her lessons even after the recital fiasco. While it may seem that the mother was extremely controlling, making the child continue with lessons she did not want the reader can interpret this as a mother who does not give up on her child a mother who is determined to show her child that she can accomplish anything she puts her mind to.The piano remains a symbol for the relationship between Jing-mei and her mother. After things escalate and Jing-mei speaks out against her mother, wishing she werent her daughter, the piano remains unused. Tan uses this prospect to fast forward to all the future disappointments she causes her mother. The piano continues to be a link between mother and daughter when the mother asks Jing-mei to take it on her thirtieth birthday and encourages her to try it again by complimenting on her quick learning ability. This opened the door to a new understanding in their relationship. All of a sudden the piano became a symbol of Jing-meis acceptance by her mother and herself.Jing-mei as an adult appreciates what her mother had done for her as a child. The fondness she suddenly has for the piano that brought her such frustration and plethora symbolizes the acceptance of herself and of the truth behind her mothers pushy but well meaning behavior. The piano symbolizes the mother-daughter bond which is tested during childhood but s trengthens in time with understanding.In conclusion, Tan uses first person narration to give the reader a more intimate experience with the characters. The symbolism used in Two Kinds portrays the classic struggle between mother and daughter a daughter seeking her own identity and a mother wanting the best for her daughter. Two Kinds addresses the pain that family can bring upon one another but also the forgiveness and understanding that can be reached between loved ones.