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“Reflections on a Year of Reading Chinese Literature”

Word Count: 750

List of titles and authors (not included in word count; see reblogged model for example)

“The Hundred Secret Senses” by Amy Tan 

“The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan

“Typical American” by Gish Jen 

 General reflections on the country and common elements/themes of the literature of that country (~200+ words)

Some of the themes I definitely noticed in these three books i read was immigration, beginning a new life, relationships, love. They were very family involved in books and moving into a new country and how they were affected by it. It was difficult at first and then they began to become accustomed to it and find success after working hard for it. I learned about some of the cultural parties and events hosted by Chinese people.For example the joy luck club was actually named after a specific tradition that was held on for a while in the Chinese culture of the main characters family. One thing I definitely noticed was that status was definitely important to Chinese culture because marrying someone who wasn't at the social status was not something good. In the hundred secret senses the main characters relationship fails because they begin to look at their social status and who they were socially. Also the parents didn't really approve of it. In the book of Typical America we also see that finding a better life and making sure they were being better everyday was a priority. Especially Helens husband who almost quit his job of being a professor because the environment was terrible but didn't because his degree of being an immigrant in America being able to be a professor was more important to him.

What you learned about life from The Hundred Secret Senses: a short reflection on take-aways from each particular book (~50-100 words per book)

From the first book I thought it was pretty special because the main character forms this bond with her half sister after not really liking her. I think the connection was having a sister because I have an older sister as well. Her bond with her sister and how strong it became as the story progressed, her sister was like a mother to her in the story so I thought it was really special and interesting. I only have one sibling and it’s my sister and she is literally my best friend who I go to for any problems I have so I really enjoyed and connected with the story. 

What you learned about life from The Joy Luck Club: 

This story was pretty nice because I learned about tradition and love in a family. One specific thing was the mother in the story who is dead but so many traditions and memories keep her alive in the story which I thought was pretty cool because it definitely means she was extremely important and was special to many. A club where a game was played was a tradition that she started and her daughter carried it as she grew. Mothers are such an important part of life so I thought it was nice.

What you learned about life from Typical America: 

 I  learned to be more appreciative of life, from all the three books they were Chinese immigrants who came to America looking for a better life after fleeing from the war in their countries, however starting a new life in a new country is not as easy as it seems. Adjusting to a new place and becoming the new normal is not easy. This book specifically they had to face racism, social criticism, financial issues, and so much more. But they endured it all, us who were originally born in the US and are accustomed to it know what it is like to live here, however starting from the bottom is definitely difficult. So it teaches me to appreciate the advantages I have and advocate for others who can’t.

What you learned about yourself and reading (~100+ words)

Reading these books was a very fun experience because I was able to actually read for once. I feel like I was never a reading person but I had always wanted to begin reading because sometimes we can get caught up in other things that are not beneficial when we could be reading. I definitely think it benefited me in a good way because it helps me find more interest when it comes to literature. It also introduced me to new vocabulary that I am now able to use on a daily basis and on essays now. I also learned that I am capable of enjoying a book without getting bored, I always had a perception that reading was a bit boring, but it isn't you just have to find the right book. 

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Week 20 Blog

”Typical America”

Gish Jen

Pages Read: 176-216

Word count:355

Summary: 

Living their best life going out and enjoying the new life making the salary of a professor as an immigrant in America they begin to come across some uncertainties. The job as a professor wasn't all elegant as it sounded. The place he was teaching at was not good at all from the students to the actual school. Odd things like simply having to walk home because of his car not closing the roof while it rained. Ralph and his family also had a store but because of these uncertainties they agreed to shut it down. These small struggles uplifts the family to come back together as a family.

Personal response 

The pages read this week we see this family at their peak where they have everything and things simply begin to go down hill. This job he gets isn't as pleasant as he thought it would be. What really stood out to me was how when everything was so easy there wasn't really that family loving connection but then when things begin to go downhill they begin to grow close again and be that support system when things are like they started when they had just moved to America. Also what brings them together is their daughters. I really noticed how they cared and loved for their daughters alot and you could tell it was their number one priority.

Critical thinking

I think the most important quote in the pages read this week for “Typical American” was definitely “Teaching might be the tip of a bowl's horn, his father's idea, and nothing he was good at, but he sporadically recalled what it was like not to have any degree, and that gave him a pause.” This really shows the real reasoning behind wanting to become a teacher which was because of his father but also in America without this degree it was like he was no one. Which really made me think  that it's so true because people now a day criticize those who don't want to go to college and say they won't be successful when many become millionaires without even going to college.

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She had fondly believed that all that was needed were apologies; she'd believed what happened could be undone.

Gish Jen “Typical American” (126)

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I know we were wrong. Give us another chance.

Gish Jen “Typical American” (210)

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They weren’t rich, but by paying less tax they became respectable

Gish Jen “Typical American” (202)

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Teaching might be the tip of a bowl's horn, his father's idea, and nothing he was good at, but he sporadically recalled what it was like not to have any degree, and that gave him a pause.

Gish Jen “Typical American” (195)

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He felt his mind open, open, open.

Gish Jen “Typical American” (186)

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Week 19 Blog

”Typical America”

Gish Jen 

Pages Read: 136-176

Word count:355

Summary: 

I’m the story we learn about this immigrant family that really struggles in this new country. They were slowly adapting to this new system of learning the language, finding a home, becoming financially stable, updating their citizen status. All the stuff that comes with moving to a new country was their priority. As for their daughter they decided to make them learn the English language before learning their native language Chinese. They didn’t want their daughters to be judged and wanted them to fit in at school. Ralph the father is very responsible and treats his family like they are living their best life taking them on vacations and gets a job as a professor. 

Personal response 

So this week's reading spent more talking about the relationship with Helen and Ralph and their family and how they are transitioning into this new country. In my opinion I definitely think they are adapting very well and their process is going smoothly. I’ve heard stories of immigrants coming to America and saying how it was the most terrible experience where they had to endure so much suffering, working hard to be able to make enough money to survive. However this family is adapting pretty well even though they had their struggles but now they have their jobs and are able to go on outings. 

Critical thinking

I think the most important quote in the pages read this week for “Typical American” was definitely “ anyway, they had no money for a down payment. And so they just looked.“ this quote is definitely important because we see how this family first sight of struggling not be able to afford a house so they were just look. As I talked about how they are able to go out and do outings on vacation since they finally have some time in the country where they finally are able to progress. That 9 year period allowed to achieve things they weren't able to in the beginning. I it’s interesting because many right now in the US have many years here and went from having nothing to having a lot of things and being wealthy.

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Would she ever sit at a table like that?

Gish Jen “Typical America” (172)

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Helen bought her a navy blue jumper with a Peter Pan collar, matching light blue stretch ankle socks with lace trim, and a pair of marine blue tie-up Buster Browns with such a perfectly smooth pale tan leather soles that Callie wouldn't wear them home from the store.

Gish Jen “Typical American” (161)

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How lucky they were! How many people came to this country and bought a house just like that?

Gish Jen “Typical American” (156)

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Anyway, they had no money for a "down payment". And so they "just looked."

Gish Jen “Typical American” (137)

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Week 18 Blog

”Typical America” 

Gish Jen Pages 

Read: 86-136

Word count:317

Summary: 

We learn about Chang who is one of the three Americans exploring China and looking for a better life.  We learn about the struggles they have to face. Coming to a new country and having to become accustomed to the environment and political system wasn’t the easiest. We also learn about Helen who was also a Chinese immigrant who was sent to America during the turmoil back in China. However this doesn’t positively benefit her because instead of living happy that she is safe in America she lives in fear at home wanting to go back to China while her sister enjoys her life out and about.  

Personal response 

I think that these Chinese books I have read are all mainly about immigrants coming to America for better lives. This is a connection I’ve made from all the books I’ve read so far which I think is really interesting. These characters leave their country looking for better lives however they don’t really realize what they might go through in these countries. Helen was a happy woman who was forced to leave her native land due to all the confusion and communism in China. They wanted her to be safe however she literally wasn’t able to enjoy her life without worrying.

Critical thinking

I think the most important quote in the pages read this week for “Typical American” was definitely “ Seems like someone's becoming one-hundred-percent Americanized.” This quote really emphasizes their transition into this new country. Slowly they begin to make small changes and decision to become more “americanized” into their society to avoid being judged. This is where we see racism because their fear of being judged forces them to learn the culture of this new society for example making their kids learn the English language as their primary and then Chinese to help them fit in. They also take the steps of officially staying in the country permanently.

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Seems like someone's becoming one-hundred-percent Americanized.

Gish Jen “Typical American”(128)

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Grover then was a man better not mentioned, meaning that it was he as much as Callie that made them finally, a real family.

Gish Jen “Typical America” (119)

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Everyday he punched cards, punched and punched, trying to avoid instability, divergence, distortion.

Gish Jen “Typical America” (114)

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"I'll let you in on a secret. In this country, the question to ask is: 'so what do you do for a living.'

Gish Jen “Typical America” (105)