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Essay On Interior Chinatown By Charles Yu

523 Words3 Pages

Through self-discovery, people are capable of finding their own interests, values, passions, and purpose in life. The novel, Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu, addresses identity and reveals that people are molded by their encounters with stereotypes and expectations imposed by those around them, making the journey towards self-discovery challenging. The influence of others’ expectations can prevent us from seeking new opportunities. Willis Wu was born into a family of proclaimed actors, with his mother casted as Dragon Lady and his father casted as Kung Fu Master. The pressure to follow his parents’ footsteps causes Willis to go to the entertainment industry, wanting to play prestigious roles like his parents. In the entertainment industry, Willis Wu was cast …show more content…

This is Willis’ dream because it fulfills the pressure of having to play one of the best acting roles for Asians like his parents, as well as society’s stereotypical view of Asians in America. When individuals follow a dream dictated by others, they will not feel fulfilled until they prioritize their own aspirations. As Willis Wu continued building his acting career, he built a family with his wife Karen. However, he divorces Karen who has to take care of their daughter, Phoebe, alone to focus on becoming Kung Fu Guy. By putting the dream of becoming a Kung Fu Guy first, he loses the love of his life and his daughter in the process. He continues to work towards Kung Fu Guy, but constantly misses his family. When Willis Wu finally becomes Kung Fu Guy, a goal he has been working on ever since he was little, he is alone in the SRO and has no one to share the good news with. For his entire life, Willis Wu was directed to become a Kung Fu Guy to live up to his family’s legacy, expectations, and what was considered “successful” in the Asian American

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