American Born Chinese Informative Writing Essay Insecurity is something that most people struggle with at some point in their life, often feeling not good enough for others, or not good enough for themselves. In American Born Chinese, various heroic archetypes interact with Jin Wang on his personal journey, teaching him that wishing you were someone else will not change who are. Wishing you were someone else will not change who you are. Jin’s lack of confidence, Wei-Chen, and Greg are obstacles on Jin’s journey toward self-acceptance. For example, Danny -- who is later revealed to be Jin -- is sitting alone on the floor when his friend Steve comes to ask what’s wrong, leading Danny to vent about his annoying cousin Chin-Kee; “By the time he …show more content…
Danny’s insecurities are getting in the way of his self-confidence, as he lets people’s opinions take control of his self-worth and confidence. Ashamed of him, Danny is embarrassed to even be close to Chin-Kee. In addition, Jin comes over to talk to his friends about a girl he likes, when Wei-Chen makes a snarky comment, “... talking is more than he has ever done. Because he is a cowardly turtle” (Yang 94). Though he might be teasing, what Wei-Chen said was not helpful and had a negative effect on Jin’s mood. By saying unkind words to Jin, Wei-Chen is an obstacle to Jin’s path toward self-acceptance. Last of all, confidently, Jin is walking toward his crush Amelia when Amelia’s best friend Greg stops Jin warning him, “Can you not ask Amelia out again? … She's a good friend and I want to make sure she makes good choices… …show more content…
For example, after transforming Danny back into Jin, the monkey King sits next to Jin to explain his duty as Jin’s conscience, and gives Jin some advice; “You know, Jin, I would’ve saved myself from five hundred years’ imprisonment beneath a mountain of rock had I only realized how good it is to be a monkey” (Yang 223). The advice of the Monkey King is helpful to Jin, reminding him that he does not have to hide anymore and that he is a good person. Jin’s confidence rises after hearing the Monkey King’s advice, especially since he is doubting himself. In addition, saving his friend and crush Wei-Chen and Amelia after they got locked in a school supplies closet, Wei-Chen gives Jin an idea, whispering into Jin’s ear, and then Jin tells; “I remember a jolt of confidence, a stilted question, and a word from her lips…” (Yang 105). Throughout the course of the story, it is seen that Amelia is the only character who Jin gets his confidence from. This confidence would later allow Jin to stick up for himself, and take risks he usually would be too scared or shy to take. Last of all, during lunch at Wei-hcen’s new school, he notices Jin sitting alone and despite his low English sill he decides to go attempt to befriend him asking, “...Eh..We-b-be friend?” (Yang 38). Wei-Chen’s bravery was kind of him and helped Jin gain a real friend with whom he could connect. Though Wei-Chen is troublesome later