"Two Kinds" Analysis

Summary

In this insightful discussion, Rebecca Balcarcel explores the journey of the main character in Amy Tan's short story 'Two Kinds.' The daughter transitions from trying to meet her mother's high expectations to rebelling against them and ultimately reaching acceptance. Balcarcel delves into why the daughter rebels, connecting it to self-preservation and the pressure from her immigrant mother. She also highlights the immigrant experience, discussing the mother's unrealistic expectations shaped by her sacrifices and tragedies. The daughter’s assertion of individuality reflects the American ideal of independence, adding a unique cultural layer to the story.

Takeaways

• 😀 The main character in 'Two Kinds' goes through a journey of attitudes, beginning by adopting her mother's view, rebelling against it, and later reaching acceptance and appreciation for her mother's intentions.
• 😡 The character's rebellion stems from her need to assert her identity, resisting the pressure of her mother's high expectations and seeking independence.
• 😭 The protagonist feels intense self-doubt when she sees her mother's disappointment, driving her to find a new reason to live beyond just pleasing her mother.
• 💪 Her rebellion is a form of self-protection, necessary for her emotional survival and self-esteem. She rebels to avoid conforming to an impossible ideal set by her mother.
• 🐯 A key moment occurs when she looks in the mirror, despises the girl she sees, and unleashes her frustration in animalistic screams, signaling her need for change.
• 🌸 The daughter realizes that she needs to assert her identity and strength, mirroring her mother's own strong-willed personality despite their differences.
• 🌍 The story highlights the immigrant experience, showing how the mother's high hopes for her daughter reflect her desire for a fresh start in America, after facing past tragedies.
• 💼 The pressure on the daughter comes not only from her mother’s expectations but also from the sacrifices her parents made by emigrating to the U.S., making her success feel more urgent.
• 🇺🇸 The protagonist's journey is symbolic of American values, where asserting individuality and independence is central to her personal growth, aligning with the American cultural ideal of individualism.
• 👩‍👧 The story touches on complex themes of mother-daughter relationships, cultural assimilation, and identity, with nuanced portrayals of language barriers and generational conflicts.

Q & A

What is the main character's journey in Amy Tan's 'Two Kinds'?

The main character undergoes a journey of attitudes, beginning by adopting her mother's view of who she should be, moving through a rebellious phase where she asserts her identity, and finally reaching acceptance and appreciation for her mother, understanding that her mother wanted her to reach her full potential.

Why does the daughter in 'Two Kinds' rebel against her mother?

The daughter rebels because she feels trapped by her mother's expectations, which causes a sense of something dying inside her. She needs to assert her independence to survive emotionally and mentally, as simply trying to fulfill her mother's unrealistic expectations is not a life she can live.

How does the mother’s disappointment affect the daughter in the story?

The mother’s disappointment, particularly when the daughter fails to meet expectations like remembering capitals or book passages, makes the daughter feel like something inside her is dying. This disappointment drives her to find a new reason to live and assert her own identity.

What does the moment of self-hatred in front of the mirror signify for the daughter?

The moment of self-hatred in front of the mirror signifies a breaking point for the daughter. She despises the person she sees because she feels like she is failing to be who she needs to be. This leads her to change her attitude, rebel, and assert her identity for the sake of her self-esteem and mental health.

How are the mother and daughter in 'Two Kinds' similar?

Though the daughter believes she is nothing like her mother, they are actually similar in their strength and determination. The daughter’s strong-willed rebellion mirrors the mother’s forceful push for her to succeed.

What role does the immigrant experience play in the story?

The immigrant experience is central to the story. The mother comes to America with outsized hopes and dreams, placing pressure on the daughter to succeed. This reflects the sacrifices immigrants often make, leaving behind their home, culture, and language, all in the hope that their children will succeed in the new country.

Why does the mother have such high expectations for her daughter?

The mother has high expectations because she sees America as a place of limitless opportunity. Additionally, having lost her daughters in China, she places the hopes and dreams she had for them onto her surviving daughter, leading to even more pressure.

How does the daughter’s rebellion reflect American cultural values?

The daughter's rebellion reflects American values of individuality and independence. Although she rebels against her mother's traditional views, her assertion of her own identity aligns with the American ideal of personal freedom and empowerment.

How does Amy Tan depict the mother's struggle with English in the story?

Amy Tan portrays the mother's difficulty with English as part of the immigrant experience, showing how language barriers add complexity to the mother-daughter relationship. The mother’s broken English symbolizes the cultural divide between her and her American-born daughter.

What are some of the main themes explored in 'Two Kinds'?

The story explores themes of identity, independence, the immigrant experience, parental expectations, and the complex relationship between mothers and daughters. It also touches on themes of cultural assimilation and personal growth.