Jing Mei’s responses to her amassed stress instigated by her mother is often superfluous, where she always attempts to develop her identity, as she failed to comprehend the major perceived severity and benefits. For instance, when her mother “presented her tests, I performed listlessly, my head propped on one arm. I pretended to be bored. And I was” (182). This emphasizes the datum that Jing Mei was not able to understand and appreciate her mother’s goodwill of wanting her to be prosperous in her future. Instead of trying the complete the test with ample efforts, she decided to commence without any toil. Correspondingly, when Jing Mei was placed in an arranged piano program with Mr. Chong, a deaf former pianist, she didn’t accomplish as much