Chance of Opportunity The short story “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan is involving a mother wanting the American Dream for her daughter. Having her try different talents, after many different attempts her mother has now become obsessed with her playing the piano. Mr. Chong who is giving her lessons also happens to live in the same apartment building on the first floor. “ Mr. Chong was a retired piano teacher and my mother had traded housecleaning services for weekly lessons and a piano for me to practice on every day, two hours a day, from four until six”(Tan 337). For the majority of “Two Kinds” it takes place with the piano. Mr. Chong plays an important role as Jing-mei’s motivator, supporter and provides opportunity. In many short stories the minor characters play a significant role. Amy Tan shows this in her story with Mr. Chong, the old, odd and deaf music teacher plays a very small role, yet is so significant in this story. Suyuan, Jing-Mei's mother, sees America as a land of success wanting her daughter to take every advantage of the opportunities this land has to offer; she gave her …show more content…
Weeks later, Mr. Chong scheduled to have Jing-Mei play in a talent show that would be held at the church hall, not knowing that it would only humiliate her and bring her mother shame in the end. As Jing-Mei finished her performance, Mr. Chong is the only one to cheer and applaud for her as she finish. He saw her-content, lovely, well together and organized. Jing Mei had taken complete advantage of the situation, and though she pays the price for her poor decision, still, it is her decision, and she has no one else to blame. Though Mr. Chong unknowingly provides her with the chance to make her own mistakes it allows Jing Mei to see the truth about herself becomes more visible, now that her idea is not troubled by frustration and