Tuesday, 31 January: Asian American Immigrant Literature

·        Text-objective discussion leader: Keri Duggan

 "In the American Society" by Gish Jen  

Objective # 1 – To identify the immigrant narrative as the fundamental storyline of the dominant or majority culture in the USA and identify its relations to “the American Dream” and other essential American narratives –

c)      Models of Immigrant literature may be provided by an ethnic group whose people write about move and adapting to America: The Chinese

The story, In the American Society shows how the family is from China but try to be American yet hold on to their Chinese roots.  Mr. and Mrs. Chang had a work ethic of working hard but adapted to the American saying by getting a jump on things.  “Smart guys think in advance.”

READING p. 158 - When my father took over the pancake house, it was to send my little sister Mona and me to college.  We were only in junior high at the time, but my father believed in getting a jump on things.  “Those Americans always saying it,” he told us.  “Smart guys thinking in advance.”  My mother elaborated, explaining that businesses took bringing up, like children.  They could take years to get going, she said, years. 

Of course, the Chang family didn’t have to wait years; they had begun climbing the rungs of the American Dream ladder. 

Mrs. Chang eventually quit working at the grocery store, but she did achieve the position of manager.  There is an overlap in her adapting to American society and becoming assimilated and losing her Chinese roots. 

Objective #5 – To observe and analyze the effects of immigration and assimilation on cultural units or identities:

Gender – In the Old World, gender identities tend to be traditional, with divisions of power, labor, and expression.  In the New World, gender may be de-emphasized in favor of equality, merit, and other gender-neutral concepts.

READING p. 159 – She didn’t work at the supermarket anymore; but she had made it to the rank of manager before she left, and this had given her not only new words and phrases, but new ideas about herself, and about America, and what was what in general.  She had opinions, now, on how downtown should be zoned; she could pump her own gas and check her own oil; and for all she used to chide Mona and me for being “copycats,” she herself was now interested in espadrilles, and wallpaper, and most recently, the town country club.

Mr. Chang kept to his Chinese work ethic and upbringings often times demanding too much from his employees and pushing them to the point in which they were beginning to feel like slaves, not employees.  This made his business hurt, thus losing his status in the rungs of the American Dream.

He then found a Chinese guy, Booker whom I suppose reminded him of himself at an earlier time in his life.  Booker told Mr. Chang that he was having issues with deportation officers, but assured him that he would in fact be a good hard worker.  Mr. Chang decided to help him out.  At this point, Mr. Chang is adapting to American society by being a business owner, etc. but also torn between his Chinese roots of helping a fellow immigrant. 

The women however, fit more into American society quite well.  Mona had mentioned to her friend of her mother’s interest in joining the County Club, and the friends mother, Mrs. Lardner agreed to help right away.  She tries to relate to the Chang family by saying she knows what it is like to be an immigrant. 

READING p. 162 – She would have never applied except that Mona, while over at Annie’s, had let it drop that our mother wanted to join.  Mrs. Lardner came by the very next day. 

            “Why, I’d be honored and delighted to write you people a letter,” she said.  Her skirt billowed around her. 

            “Thank you so much,” said my mother.  “But it’s too much trouble for you, and also my husband is…”

            “Oh, it’s no trouble at all, no trouble at all.  I tell you.”  She leaned forward so that her chest freckles showed.  “I know just how it is.  It’s a secret of course, but you know, my natural father was Jewish.  Can you see it?  Just look at my skin.”

            “My husband,” said my mother.

            “I’d be honored and delighted,” said Mrs. Lardner with a little wave of her hands.  “Just honored and delighted.”

At this point in the text it almost seems that, Mrs. Lardner is making fun of the Chang’s and labeling them.  With words, as your people and I know how it is it comes across as condescending. 

However, Mrs. Chang turns back to the Chinese roots…READING p. 162 - “You know the Chinese have a saying,” said my mother.  “To do nothing is better than to overdo.  You mean well, but you tell me now what will happen.”

Mr. Chang goes back to his Chinese roots when the trouble with the police came.  Mr. Chang has to admit to Mrs. Chang that he hired illegal immigrants and Mrs. Chang has to confess about her interest in the County Club.  Mr. Chang feels strong about his feelings for the boys who are running from the deportation officers simply because he remembers his roots.  He can reminisce about the way he found his way in America. 

READING p. 165 - “In the war my father sent our cook to the soldiers to use.  He always said it – the province comes before the town, the town comes before the family.” 

            “A restaurant is not a town,” said my mother.

            “You know, when I first com to the United States, I also had to hide-and-seek with those deportation guys.  If people did not helping me, I’m not here today.”

Mr. Chang goes through all channels possible to help “his boys.”  Booker and Cedric is ecstatic Mr. Chang did all that he did for them, however, readers can notice the fact that neither one of them have assimilated to American culture.  They are afraid of what will happen to them, as a result, they leave Mr. Chang a note stating Thanks but they are afraid of the law. 

Mr. Chang knew how much Mrs. Chang wanted to be a part of the American scene, so when the news came that they were not accepted into the Country Club he acted more disappointed.  Mrs. Lardner wanted to ease the bad news as well, so she invited them to a party at her house.  Mrs. Chang was very excited to become a part of “their” world.  Therefore, the Changs went and bought Mr. Chang a new suit.  He was not thrilled about the suit at all in neither the way that it fit nor the price. 

At the party, Mrs. Chang fit right in.  She was drinking Mrs. Lardner’s magic punch and mingling quite nicely.  Mr. Chang however, was having a harder time, but was doing okay, until Jeremy Brothers approached him.   Once they met, it all went downhill for Mr. Chang after that.  Jeremy began to make fun of him and his clothes.  However, Mr. Chang did not back down.  He stood his ground, which made his daughters very proud. 

Discussion Questions –

1. What do was happening with Mr. Chang?  Will he ever fit into American society?

2. Was Mr. Chang upset that his family had taken on the characteristics of American’s and lost their Chinese roots?

3. Is it easier for women to come to America and assimilate because of their freedoms in America or is it harder for men?

It seems that throughout the story, In the American Society the Chang’s are searching for a ways to become assimilated and have a sense of belonging.  In some ways, the family does belong to American society but at the same time, it seems like they have their Chinese roots to fall back on.  They want to belong and assimilate, but they also do not want to forget where they have come from.