Significance Of Light In Typical American

In Gish Jen’s Typical American, light is not only a motif in pivotal scenes; it embodies a character’s subconscious desire to become aware of the path they need to take. From Ralph’s determination to shield himself from it to Theresa’s longing to embrace it, light induces different reactions. A character's response to light reflects their motivation to self-improve. In Typical American, light serves as dramatic irony, trying to provide characters with situational awareness, ultimately illuminating the dark, grueling nature of the immigrant experience.

Ralph’s insecure yet stubborn nature hinders his ability to overcome the inherent difficulties of immigration, decreasing his willingness to see the light when he ultimately needs to. When

(27) When he first realizes the possible consequences of his mistake, he attempts to “think of a way… to go around [the] obstacles'', reflecting his tropism to avoid problems instead of facing them head-on. (27) Moreover, he cannot help but “think of how many stories he [knows] about people smarter than he [is],” impeding his motivation to improve his current situation and consequent status in America. (27) When Ralph encounters typical challenges for immigrants in America, such as a fear of deportation, his insecurities make him immediately feel like he failed. At his breaking point, Ralph accepts his supposed failures, “gives himself [up] to the country,” and retreats into the darkness of his apartment where the hardships of immigration cannot reach him. (42) Ralph’s success will only be measured by American standards, so if he gives up on meeting those expectations, his potential to succeed will be left in the dark.

Consequently, Theresa's views on her home country change irreversibly. When Theresa’s parents coerce her into seducing a potential husband, she is forced to submit to “such indignities'' and give up “bit[s] of [her] pride.” (49) It is evident Theresa does not share the value of marriage as much as her family, but “still [her] duty call[s] out to her." (49) For their meeting, Theresa literally and figuratively walks on the path her parents chose, on display. Theresa's parents give her a parasol to "protect her” from the light, but she can still feel the sun's heat as she walks. (49) Even with indirect exposure, Theresa recognizes her family’s undeniable role in her suffering. Eventually, Theresa’s emotional pain is joined with physical pain as her “feet [grow] vehement” from the shoes her family forces her to wear to achieve “a more ladylike step.” (51) (49) Theresa’s physical pain, in addition to her emotional pain, combines to such an extreme that “she [can]not go on,” necessitating her decision to “fold up the parasol [and] use it for a cane,” exposing herself entirely to the light. (51) Once she is finally freed from the darkness forced by her family, Theresa “leav[es] the path” her parents set and takes her own. (51) But even with her emotional and physical pain in the past, Theresa “still .. [grows] vacant” as she now knows the liberating qualities of light.