Lisa Runnels
Professor White
Literature 4333
19 April 2001

Opening Doors

"The question is," Amy says, "what in our lives is fate, the circumstances we're born into, and what are the things that we have really chosen at those important turns in our lives?" (qtd. In Chiu 7). Amy Tan was born in Oakland, California in 1952. Tan's parents were both immigrants; her father was an engineer then served as a Baptist minister and her mother immigrated here just before the Communist party gained control in China, in 1942. Tan was one of three children born to her parents, but at the age of 14 was told of three half sisters still in China. By Chinese law at the time when a woman divorces her husband she must give up her children to him. Tan's mother, having no other choice, left the three girls and immigrated to the United States. After finding out about her three half sisters, Tan endeavored to be a more obedient daughter to please her mother.

This obedience failed when after the death of her father and brother Tan's mother, Daisy, moved her two daughters to Switzerland. Tan decided that her yielding ways were a failure and rebelled. At the age of 16 she fell in with a crowd who were involved in drugs and was later arrested on possession charges. If not for her mother's intervention Tan would have married a German army deserter who had escaped from a mental hospital. After graduation from a high school in Switzerland she returned to the United States to attend college. She received a B.A. with a double major in English and linguistics from San Jose State University and in 1974 an M.A. in linguistics. Later that year she married Louis DeMattie. After a close friend of the couple was murdered Tan began to question her life. After a four-year stint working with disabled children she worked writing speeches for corporations. Knowing that she hated this work made it easy for Tan to leave this line of work to start writing.

It was through reading the works of Native American writers that Tan found her "unique" voice in writing. "'In 1985, Amy completed her first story, "Rules of the Game," a story that was to become a part of The Joy Luck Club'" (qtd. In Chiu 12). It was when Tan bought her mother a house that Daisy Tan considered her daughter a success. And in Tan's second book "The Kitchen God's Wife" she depicted her mother's true story. Recently Tan released a new book "The Bonesetter's Daughter;" her latest work has very personal overtones. "The Bonesetter's Daughter" was started five years ago, but with her mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis it was put on the back burner. Shortly after this personal blow Tan's closest friend and editor was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer. After nursing both women, in frequent trips between San Francisco and New York, Tan had to say goodbye. Her mother died on November 22 and on December 7 her best friend died. "'Two famous days,' Tan says, 'the day of JFK's assassination and the bombing of Pearl Harbor.'" (Ganahl 2). After these two deaths Tan recovered the manuscript and rewrote the book from beginning to end.

The common theme that runs through Tan's work is the relationships between mothers and daughters. The socialization of women of different ethnic backgrounds into the American society becomes a focal point of her books. The conflict occurs when the daughters want to express their individuality and independence. Tan's life mirrors this conflict by her choice to become a writer and not a surgeon like her mother and father wanted. Like the characters in her books Tan exerted her independence right down to responding only to her American name and turning her back on her Chinese name, An Mei. Tan's works include her first well known piece "The Joy Luck Club" 1989, "The Kitchen God's Wife" 1991, "The Moon Lady" 1992, "The Joy Luck Club" the screenplay in 1993, "The Chinese Siamese Cat" 1994, "The Hundred Secret Senses" 1995, "The Year of No Flood" 1995 and "The Bonesetter's Daughter" 2001. An Mei means "blessing from America" and for those that have read her books, experienced her words, she is indeed a blessing.

Works Cited

Chiu, Christina. Lives of Notable Asian Americans: Literature and Education.

New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1996.

Ganahl, Jane. "Amy Tan Gets Her Voice Back." West Egg Communications LLC

Jan. 2001: 40.

Tseo, George K. Y. Rev. of Joy Luck: The Perils of Transcultural "Translation",

by Amy Tan. Literature/Film Quarterly 24.4 (1996): 338-343.

George K. Y. Tseo reviews both the book, "The Joy Luck Club" and the movie by the same name. Tseo's review puts a very negative spin on Tan's work. He begins by giving the reader background on himself and his wife. He is Chinese-American and his wife was born, raised and educated in Bejing. He feels that their understanding of the Chinese society is merit enough to judge Tan's work. He notes that there are differences between the book and the movie, but neither is an accurate picture of the Chinese culture. Tseo's first argument is the depiction of the mother's of "The Joy Luck Club."

Suyuan Woo states in the books prologue, "And over there she will always be too full to swallow any sorrow" (qtd. In Tseo 338). The critic likens this quote to a Chinese expression, but adds that Tan has given this a different meaning altogether. The mother's experiences while in China are written to be completely unbelievable. The depiction of infanticide by the character Ying Ying in the movie is not only seen as horrific by the American audience, but according to Tseo, inconceivable by Chinese watchers. An Mei's mother commits suicide in order to make her daughter's spirit stronger. Tseo feels that Tan may have confused some of the details because she misunderstood the details of the story. He adds that, "in order to add heroic dimensions to characters that were more victims than anything else," Tan altered the truth (Tseo 340).

Overall Tseo agrees with the depiction of the Chinese-American daughters. Their struggle to be independent is believable. According to Tseo film can be a strong impact on public perception and his fear is that society will believe the characters presented instead of what is accurate. He notes several authors and filmmakers that he feels are more truthful. It is understandable that George K. Y. Tseo sees Tan's work in this way, but it is also possible that he is missing the moving and poetic story being presented. The story is not meant to show American's the truth life of the Chinese people. Tan's objective is to give the reader or watcher an emotional mother/daughter story.

Ganahl, Jane. "Amy Tan Gets Her Voice Back." West Egg Communications LLC

Jan. 2001: 40.

Jane Ganahl interviews Amy Tan as well as reviews her new book "The Bonestetter's Daughter." Ganahl begins the article by giving background on Tan's work from "The Joy Luck Club" to the children's books that Tan has authored. After writing about the death of Tan's mother and best friend/editor Ganahl explores the nuances of the author's style and tone of writing. "The Bonesetter's Daughter" is set in San Francisco and is about Ruth Young. Ruth is a ghostwriter, but had never written anything original. When she must nurse her dying mother she begins a journey into the past.

Many of the elements from "The Bonesetter's Daughter" are from actual events in Tan's life. Ganahl writes, "Ruth's obsession with digging up the secrets of her mother's past before she dies is at the heart of the story" (Ganahl 41). The recent tragedy of loosing her mother influenced her work dramatically. There is a parallel in Tan's book that mirrors her own life. "The Bonesetter's Daughter" deals with the issues of family, reconciliation after a separation and understanding the past. Ganahl seems to focus more on the personal influences than the actual book, but offers the recommendation to read "The Bonesetter's Daughter."

Gray, Paul. "The Joy and Sorrow of Amy Tan." Time 157 19 Feb. 2001. 4

April 2001 <http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101

010219-98979,00.html>

Paul Gray's review of "The Bonesetter's Daughter" seems objective and more direct. He points out that unlike previous works by Amy Tan this centers on a single story involving three women. Where "The Joy Luck Club" has many voices, "The Bonesetter's Daughter" is this triad. Ruth Young, the main character, lives a stable life working at home as an editor/ghost writer. When her mother is diagnosed with Alzheimer's Ruth must become the primary caregiver. During this chaotic time Ruth finds papers containing Chinese calligraphy. After having them translated she is carried away to a world she never knew her other experienced.

Ruth and Amy Tan live similar lives and experience the same losses. Tan's experience with these same issues opened up this story and allowed her to come to terms with her own life. Gray feels that "The Bonesetter's Daughter" took remarkable ability. Tan has the ability to inhabit other places and times drawing her reader in and showing them the textures and colors of her words. "The Bonesetter's Daughter" is taken from real experiences, but Tan creates a new and exotic world.

Gray closes his article by discussing Tan's touring schedule and her less serious adventures. When she has leisure time Tan jams with the Rock Bottom Remainders, a musical group composed of other best selling writers (Gray 4). Amy Tan's trademark song, which she performs in dominatrix gear, is a version of Nancy Sinatra's These Boots Are Made for Walking. "'I am,' Tan says conjuring a lifetime of joys and sadnesses, 'my mother's daughter.'" (qtd. In Gray 4)

Chinese Immigration

Hundreds of nationalities have come to America seeking freedom. Assimilation into United States society is not always easy and Chinese immigration at times has been hit the hardest. Chinese immigrants are one of the largest groups in number to enter the U. S. "A series of wars, rebellions, civil disorders, floods, famines and droughts made earning a livelihood in China difficult" (Brown Quarterly 1). The Opium War of 1840 was won by the British and was a devastating defeat for the Chinese. It was the news of gold in California that started the influx of Chinese immigrants.

The majority of Chinese immigrants were male from the lower classes of China hoping to gain wealth to send back to their communities in China. Most of the newcomer's never realized their dreams of wealth. Some worked as panhandlers, but most filled the positions of low paid labors. America's industrial expansions created a void in the work force that the Chinese immigrants filled. In the West, by 1880 twenty-five percent of the workforce was of Chinese descent, "some immigrants even started their own factories, profiting from the highly competitive atmosphere" (AILF 2). To the benefit of all, the Chinese immigrants brought with them agricultural knowledge used in developing farms in the West. Until this time the American West was dependent on suppliers in the east. In the 1850's only two skin colors were recognized for naturalization to the United States, white and black. Chinese immigrants were neither so some were naturalized, but most were not. They were required to pay taxes, but enjoyed none of the benefits of citizenship.

Some scholars give credit to the Chinese workers in helping the depressed economy after the Civil War. Once slaves were freed they chose not to remain on the plantations as paid labor. Chinese immigrants picked up the slack and helped in the shortage of labor. Another crucial accomplishment was the work done by Chinese immigrants on the Transcontinental Railroad. In the neighborhood of fifteen thousand Chinese were hired by Central Pacific Railroad. The positive feelings toward the Chinese population did not last and the immigrants came together in close knit communities in virtually every major city calling these neighborhoods Chinatown. In 1910 the Angel Island Inspection Station was built in San Francisco. "For 30 years Angel Island processed close to 175,000 Chinese. . ." some were allowed to enter, some were held in prison like accommodations and others were deported (AILF 3).

It took time, but America started to change the treatment of Chinese immigrants and in 1940 when Angel Island burned it was never reopened. In 1943 the Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed allowing immigrants already in the United States to bring family from China and 1952 saw the incorporation of the Walter-McCarren Act allowing first generation Americans to apply for citizenship. 1964 saw the last barriers removed when the Immigration and Nationality Act was passed. Since that time Chinese customs, food, dress and art has become a part of American society. The American dream for the Chinese immigrant is about perseverance.

American Heritage Project. American Immigrant Law Foundation. 18 April 2001

"The History of Chinese Immigration." The Brown Quarterly 3 Spring 2000. 3

Family Stories

She looked at the man wondering why her name was being taken away. Clearey was her family name, but from this day on she would be Nellie Irish. It seemed ironic to be given the name of her nationality. This is the way the story was given to me by my Aunt Bethran Mears. The woman was Nellie, my great-grandmother. She emigrated here from Ireland alone leaving behind her family to start a new life. I’m sure that my Aunt embellished the story with emotion, but the facts are there. Nellie came here as Nellie Clearey, but upon arrival her family name was changed to Irish. There were no reasons given for the change.

Change was going to be a big part of Nellie's life. Because there were family friends in Chicago that is where Nellie headed. In Chicago, she met and married John Stockwell, a Scottish immigrant. Unlike Nellie all of John's family came to America as well. His extended family became her family and she and John had two children. Both were boys, which from what I understand, pleased the Stockwell family a great deal. Misfortune struck not long after the second son was born and John was killed in an accident. The factory work that he did was dangerous. The Stockwell family cared for Nellie and her children as best as they could and soon another marriage took place. During the grieving period Nellie grew closer to John's brother, James. Through blood ties James Stockwell is my great-grandfather, but through a twist of fate the Stockwell name is not mine. James and Nellie had three children one was my Granddad. He was born Lester Washburn Stockwell and was the youngest of the five children. Some may say that Nellie was cursed in marriage or that the factory in which the Stockwell family worked was unsafe. I believe the second because before my Granddad's first birthday his father, James, was killed in an accident similar to the one that took the life of his brother, John. As before the family tried to care for Nellie through her grieving, but with five children it became difficult.

My Aunt Bethran told me once that at this point in Nellie's life the Stockwell's were not sure what to do. That is when a cousin of John and James stepped forward and volunteered to care for Nellie and her family. His name was John Glendenning and he and Nellie were married. Two more children were born to Nellie through this marriage. Things were good until my Granddad was 6. Tragedy struck once more and John was killed in an accident, but the circumstances were unclear according to my Aunt. After many months of grief and thought Nellie had no choice. The Stockwell's were in no position to care for her and seven children so she made a very difficult decision. The youngest four were given away. In this day and age that thought is horrific, but I suppose looking at the times it could be understandable. I write that they were given away because to this day my father's family has yet to find an adoption record for my Granddad. The oldest three children could be sent to the factories to work and Nellie needed that income. Lester Washburn Stockwell was given to the Henderson family because they had wanted a boy, but only had girls. He took the Henderson name, but as I noted there is no record that he was ever legally adopted. When my Aunt Bethran was no more than ten she remembers going with her mother and father to Chicago and meeting Nellie Irish Stockwell Glendenning. By her account Nellie was warm and welcoming to her son and his family. Aunt Bethran wrote me that Nellie still had a thick accent and to listen to her was a joy. Lester Washburn Henderson married Hula Mae Robison. Hula Mae's parents emigrated from Ireland before she was born. They were insistent on education for their children and Hula Mae, being a girl, was no exception. My grandmother was a schoolteacher. She took pride in her work. My Granddad was an engineer and together they had nine children. One, James, was still born. My father Lanny Kaye Henderson is number six in that line up. He studied for a time to be a Methodist minister, but eventually joined the marines.

Lanny Kaye Henderson married Barbara Lee Sprinkle on January 18, 1958. My mother, Barbara, was the oldest of three children born to Eileen Elsing Williams and Lee Allan Sprinkle who were married January 14, 1937. Eileen grew up in Louisiana with her parents, John and Walterine Williams, three sisters and a brother. John Williams was the grandson of German immigrants. There is very little known about John's grandparents except that, like Nellie, their name was changed upon entering the United States, from Wilheim to Williams. They moved to Alabama and began farming as the family livelihood. John's father married a Cherokee woman and my great-grandfather was born. He learned farming from his father and knife making from his mother and during the years of the depression he and my great-grandmother supported themselves and their children by growing there own food and selling knives. My Great grandmother was born Walterine Boone. Her mother, Sally Boone, raised her family in Tennessee and I have been told that I am related to Daniel Boone. Whether or not that is true I was never able to find out. Walterine learned hard work from her mother and this served her well during the depression. My Grandma once told me that there may have been very little food, but when she was growing up there was always music. She and her sisters and brother were always popular because their house had music and dancing. My great-grandparents never let the depression override the family.

Lee Allan Sprinkle was mesmerized by Eileen's free spirited ways. He married her, but that same day left for six months. He did not want any other man sweeping her off her feet, so he made the bond legal then went off to make his fortune. Talking to my Grandma I know that this period is a sore spot because she was terribly hurt, but never gave up on his return. My great aunts tried to get her to divorce him for abandonment. She refused time and again. Lee Allan was the son of Sterling Sprinkle and Ruth __________. Sterling and Ruth had three children, but the marriage did not last and Ruth took two of the children and Sterling took my grandpa. My mother remembers her grandfather always walking with a cane. Once when she asked him why he used it, Sterling replied that moonshine had crippled him. During the years of the depression Sterling and his son traveled around the country doing odd jobs for food. He settled in Louisiana with a woman named Cleda. The story that my mother tells is that Cleda owned a house of ill repute, more commonly known as a whorehouse. Sterling and Lee Allan moved in with her and Sterling began making moonshine. This upbringing, I believe, gave my grandpa a nomadic disposition. When he and my grandmother married he worked construction all over the United States moving the family here and there. My grandmother finally settled the family in Bay City, Texas and kept a stable home while my grandfather traveled. My mother and father met working in the movie theater in Bay City. Our families shape the way we think and feel about our lives. Reading my families history or listening to the stories gives me pleasure. Things that others might find embarrassing are badges of honor. This is my family, they are my people.