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Midterm1 (2013 midterm1 assignment) Sample Student Midterm Answers 2013 #1: Long Essay |
LITR 4333
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Tracie Estrada
06 Oct. 2013
Resilience: It’s what defines us
America has a rich history. Some stories are
tales of inspiration while others are of suffering and degradation. What does it
mean to be an American? What is our defining element? An as in one of the past
model assignments titled, “As American As” we have to toss around questions and
terms, like “American.” One can read an
immigrant narrative and become inspired by their determination to carve a piece
of the American dream. However, for every tale of hope there is a story from
those whom are not immigrants. Minority narratives’ words drip with anguish and
injustice. By closely observing both immigrant and minority stories the
differences in circumstances and belief is apparent. Nonetheless, the resounded
element, bravery, transpires through these stories, truly making this the land
of enduring people.
The most defining aspect of immigrant
narratives is choice. The catalyst, choice, for an immigrant narrative begins
with the journey. The stages of the immigrant narrative are apparent in “The
English Lesson”, by Nicholas Mohr. Mr. Fong tells his story as he introduces
himself to the class beginning with his departure from his home country and the
journey to America (Mohr, 24). With every immigrant narrative comes shock,
resistance, and discrimination.
Something from Mr. Fong’s story sounds as if he has had these experiences. For
example, Mr. Fong states “I taking Basic English to speak good and improve my
position better in this country” (24). The fact that Mr. Fong wishes to “improve
my position” leads the reader to believe that he has dealt with disadvantages or
discrimination because of his lack of English. He believes that speaking as well
as those who discriminate against him will lead him to a better station in life.
Lastly, Mr. Fong expresses his desire to belong with the dominant culture by
obtaining American citizenship (Mohr, 24). With American citizen, immigrants
become pieces of the puzzle entering into the social contract agreement.
Immigrants coming to the United States
enlist into an unspoken agreement, a social contract which states that if you
obey the laws of the land the system will work for you. This attitude is obvious
in the “model minority” Asian immigrant narrative.
As an immigrant group, some Asians have the ability to come to the States
and work with the system going with the flow, even in the face of outrage. For
example, “In the Land of the Free” Hom Hing and Lae Choo must leave their son
with custom officers even though they are hesitant to do so at first, then they
later comply stating, “Tis the law” (5). Far states further that, “thus the law
of the land complied with” (5). Sadly, Hom Hing and Lae Choo accept the social
contract that if an individual obeys the law all will be well in the end.
Perhaps some “model minorities” do and are expected to follow the rules is
because they have come from a county that demanded their acceptance of the rules
this being the reason why assimilation seems acceptable to them.
Assimilation happens when immigrants try
acclimating into the dominant culture and take on their characteristics. This
phenomenon is evident in “In American Society” by Gish Jen, where the family in
the story fully submerge themselves within American culture. As the story
begins, the narrator explains that the purpose for her family owning their
business is so she and her sister can go to college. Her father states that,
“Those Americans always saying it…smart guys thinking in advance” (Jen, 159).
Ralph Chang trains his brain to think as Americans do in regards to planning
ahead, always looking to the horizon. The Changs are a prime example of
assimilated immigrants. Their daughters’ names sound more American than Chinese,
and Mrs. Chang has more in common with American women than her Chinese
counterparts. “She had opinions now, on how downtown should be zoned; she could
pump her own gas, and check her own oil… she was interested in espadrilles, and
wallpaper, and most recently, the town country club” (Jen, 159). Assimilation is
noticeable in the influence it has over gender roles for females, and Mrs. Chang
has taken on the attributes of American women which differs from a more docile
traditional role.
Evidence of immigrant narrative,
assimilation, contrasts with minority stories by their resistance to the
dominant culture. As previously mentioned, choice, one of the main stages in
immigrant narratives differs from African Americans of the past because they
were taken from their home country and brought here in chains. Likewise, Native
American ancestors inhabited this land prior to the European invasion. These
factors breed a different story, one that tells their resistance to integration,
as well as the dominate culture’s attempt to eradicate them. Furthermore,
“Elethia” by Alice Walker, describes discrimination against African Americans
who faced were not allowed to eat in that restaurant Uncle Albert’s, which
ironically was named after a slave. However, Uncle Albert himself was a tale of
resistance because he took down and buried parts of a desecrated body that was
put there to scare others into compliance (Walker, 308). Additionally, Elethia’s
act of breaking into the restaurant and burning the stuffed Uncle Albert was an
act of resistance (Walker, 308). She was refusing to let the restaurant owner
mold Uncle Albert into something he was not.
While some minorities resist others attempt
assimilation. Traditionally, Native Americans desire living among their own, but
when they live outside those boundaries they can become discontent because of
seclusion. Richard in “Gussuk” by Mei Mei Evans, leaves Kigiak only to feel
isolated because there were not others of his kind (344).
Minority stories often depict a dominant culture that has no place for
them. However, those who begin assimilation run the risk of alienation by their
own, like Harmony. In “American Horse” by Louise Erdrich, Harmony works with law
enforcement and child protective services but Albertine meets him with
hostility. “‘Ma cousin’, he said… I ain’t your cousin, Albertine said…I ain’t
related to no pig’” (Erhrich, 216).
Harmony is seen as a traitor to his people because he has chosen to work with
the system that has betrayed and abused his culture.
Immigrant and minority narratives tell
different versions of America. The immigrant narrative’s hopeful outlook makes
for a more palatable story than minority. We all want to read stories that place
America as a beacon of opportunity. Reading minority stories of cruelty and
discrimination is a hard pill to swallow because they are not our proudest
moments. One thing that immigrants and minorities have in common is that at one
time or another they are all discriminated against. However, all of these
stories show incredible resiliency. Whether it is an immigrant striving for a
better life, or an African American determined to defy the culture, that
never-say-die attitude is the true characteristic of Americans.
