Two Kinds Summary and Analysis

Summary

The story follows Jing May, whose mother, an optimistic Chinese immigrant, relentlessly pushes her to become a prodigy. Despite her mother's efforts to mold her into a child genius, Jing May struggles with the pressure and her lack of natural talent in various pursuits. After a humiliating talent show performance, Jing May defies her mother's dream for her, eventually confronting the reality of their strained relationship. Years later, after her mother’s death, Jing May revisits her piano, reflecting on her life and the complexities of her identity. The story highlights themes of parental expectations, individuality, and reconciliation with the past.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jing May's mother is an optimistic believer in the American Dream, determined to make her daughter a prodigy despite the challenges they face as immigrants.
• 😀 Jing May's mother attempts to transform her into a 'Chinese Shirley Temple,' focusing on her ability to mimic facial expressions and dance moves, regardless of her natural talents.
• 😀 Jing May struggles with her mother's high expectations and grows increasingly frustrated, realizing her talent lies in her ability to say 'no' and not conform to her mother's vision.
• 😀 Jing May's mother, after watching a 99-year-old Chinese girl play the piano on The Ed Sullivan Show, forces Jing May to take piano lessons, even though Jing May shows no natural interest in music.
• 😀 Jing May's piano lessons are unproductive as she finds ways to avoid improving, benefiting from Mr. Chong’s inability to recognize her mistakes due to his age and inexperience.
• 😀 During a talent show, Jing May's lack of talent becomes painfully apparent when she plays the piano poorly, causing her parents to feel shame, while Mr. Chong applauds her effort.
• 😀 Jing May's cousin Waverly, a chess champion, bluntly declares that Jing May is not a genius, which stings more than her mother’s disapproving silence.
• 😀 Jing May realizes that hard work alone doesn’t make someone a prodigy, and that natural ability, along with genuine interest, plays a crucial role in success.
• 😀 After a heated argument with her mother, Jing May declares that she wishes she weren’t her mother's daughter, pushing her mother to stop trying to make her a prodigy.
• 😀 Years later, after her mother's death, Jing May reconnects with the piano, finding a song that symbolizes her journey of self-acceptance and understanding her past relationship with her mother.

Q & A

What is Jing May's mother's belief about the American Dream?

Jing May's mother believes that anyone can achieve anything they set their mind to, a core belief in the American Dream. She has faced hardship in China and uses this belief to drive her determination to make her daughter a prodigy.

How does Jing May's mother try to make her a prodigy?

Jing May's mother attempts to make her a prodigy by first trying to turn her into a Chinese Shirley Temple, forcing her to mimic her facial expressions and dance moves. Later, she tries to develop other skills like memorization, mathematics, and playing the piano.

What is Jing May's initial reaction to her mother's plans for her to become a prodigy?

Initially, Jing May resists her mother's attempts but becomes intrigued by the idea of being a prodigy. She starts to see the benefits of meeting her mother's expectations, believing it could lead to her parents' adoration.

How does Jing May's relationship with her mother evolve throughout the story?

Jing May's relationship with her mother evolves from one of compliance and resistance to defiance. Eventually, Jing May rejects her mother's attempts to force her into a mold, standing up for herself by saying she doesn't want to be someone she's not.

Why does Jing May's mother insist on forcing her to take piano lessons?

After seeing a 99-year-old Chinese girl playing the piano on The Ed Sullivan Show, Jing May's mother believes that if such a young child can play, her own daughter should also be able to succeed. She barters services to get free piano lessons for her daughter.

What role does Mr. Chong play in the piano lessons?

Mr. Chong is a retired piano teacher who gives Jing May lessons in exchange for her mother cleaning his house. However, he is not attentive to her mistakes due to his own age and poor eyesight, allowing her to practice incorrectly without correction.

What happens at Jing May's talent show recital?

At the talent show, Jing May plays the piano, starting beautifully but soon making mistakes. Despite her practice, her fingers do not correct themselves. Her parents are embarrassed, while Mr. Chong applauds her as though she's succeeded.

How does Jing May feel after her talent show performance?

Jing May feels embarrassed and ashamed of her performance, especially after seeing her parents' shocked faces. The harsh comments from her cousin Waverly also add to her sense of failure, but it is her mother's silent disappointment that hurts the most.

What is the significance of the argument between Jing May and her mother?

The argument is a turning point in their relationship. Jing May expresses her anger and frustration by wishing she wasn't her mother's daughter, referencing the loss of her mother's previous children in China. This moment leads her mother to stop pushing her to be a prodigy.

How does the story conclude with regard to Jing May's piano playing?

Years after her mother's death, Jing May decides to have the old piano tuned and plays the song she performed at her recital. She realizes that the song represents two halves of her life: her childhood feelings of inadequacy and her adult realization of personal acceptance.