Monday, 5 June 2006: Asian American Immigrant Literature

Dominant culture moment: Sharon Lockett

To prepare for Objective 4--The Dominant Culture  

To identify signs of the "dominant culture" to which immigrants assimilate in terms of class, ethnicity, gender or family life, and religion.  In brief, this section of the course makes a provisional effort to answer, "What kind of culture do immigrants assimilate to?"

Review of Dominant Culture--some characteristics we've discussed or that we may see in today's readings:

• White/Aryan--Anglo-Saxon
• "Towering"--physically and symbolically/metaphorically
• English-speaking
• Unmixed
• Clean/Odorless/Flawless
• "Gate-Keepers" of American Society
• Educated
• In possession and control of the American "stamp of approval"
• "Clique-ish"
• Unsympathetic to immigrants' needs--physical and emotional
• Patronizing
• Discount the humanity of immigrants--treat them as sub-humans, slaves or animals
• Willing to take advantage of immigrants' naiveté or lack of education, knowledge,  business savvy
• Use threats to maintain control
• "Carrot danglers"

Appearances of Characters, Values, or Institutions Associated with America's Dominant Culture

Today's Readings:

I.  Dominant Culture Character:  The Tall Blonde (Female)

• stylish/beautiful
• sexy
• magnetic, irresistible
• power to excite/control admirers
• the "prize" for whom admirers compete, contend, or fight
• movie star appeal
• Vanna "White" 

Sightings:

Bulosan: p.65  "a tall blonde in a green dress…nicely curved and graceful"

Wong:  p.56  "blonde movie stars, white skin, sensuous lips"

Significance/implications of passages in terms of immigrant narrative:

Bulosan expresses unavoidable attraction to this woman: she is "tall, nicely curved, and has a "way of swaying;" he admits arousal and confusion.  Marcelo also falls prey to her charms.  For these immigrants, the blonde overpowers them with her sexuality and beauty, and, in the case of Marcelo, she manages to trick him by tearing off too many dance tickets.  Ultimately, due to the fighting between admirers, immigrants' lives are endangered.     

Wong expresses desire for assimilation to this aspect of Americanism and admits jealousy toward "lucky" white girls and fair-skinned sisters; she laments her yellow skin and the small stature of her people; she creates an imaginary pale skin in order to become desirable.  Unfortunately for Wong, she knows she will never fully assimilate here because she can do nothing to "shed" her "rough dark skin."  For her, this vision of the American Dream will never be realized.

II.  Dominant Culture Values and Institutions:  The Country Club   

• values exclusivity--membership requires recommendation
• values acceptance--the "stamp of approval" from higher social class
• affirms social status
• requires modes of comportment, dress, conversation
• expensive to maintain membership
• often requires participation in club events, parties, social functions, and other activities (at the very least required by "unspoken" rules
• Caddyshack

Sighting: 

Jen:  p.159  "she herself was now interested in  . . . the town country club . . . there was the cost . . . the waiting list . . . you need that recommendation . . . you have to eat there twice a month . . . dad would have to wear a jacket."

Significance/implications of passages in terms of immigrant narrative:

The mother is preoccupied with joining the local country club, an ultimate sign of acceptance into the "American Society."  She is ready to undergo membership procedures, apply to waiting lists, ask for letters of recommendation, participate in club activities, and even to attempt coaxing her husband into wearing a jacket.  Having once chided her daughters for being "copycats," she now sees emulation of the dominant culture as one of the best ways to assimilate--she has already begun to wear espadrilles and to avoid summer clothes after Labor Day.  To the family members' disappointment, though, they will not realize membership for at least another year.  These immigrants come very close to receiving the American "social stamp of approval," but they don't quite make it in this arena.  Hopefully, they will succeed in the next season "if things open up."  For now, though, this chapter of their American Dream must remain closed.

Discussion and Conclusion:

Comments, questions, differing opinions?

What other appearances of the dominant culture are in today's readings?

Final Thoughts