One could assume that symbolism is the backbone to all literature. Without symbolism the piece of literature is inadequate, lacking representations of objects, people, and situations. However Eudora Welty’s work “A Worn Path” proves the prominence of symbolism in any prose. The short story about a woman’s ability to face nature, mankind, and one’s own self. The protagonist is an woman named Phoenix Jackson who has an unforgettable nature.
Her intentions are not meant for heartbreaks, but for the well-being of her babies. Support Point # 2- Suyuan’s top priority is to educate Jing-mei as ideal daughter; however, high expectations are difficult to achieve causing problems and leading bitterness into the relationship. Support Point
In John Steinbeck’s, East of Eden, there a few literary elements and themes that connect the overall storyline together. The one element that seems to be in every big plot twist is symbolism. Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Steinbeck uses these symbols to carry an extra meaning, leading it to morph into an idea for an overall message that he is trying to claim. Through the use of symbolism, Steinbeck portrays the idea of how one’s constant battle with good and evil represents one’s path.
One allusion in “Two kinds” and modern day society is Shirley Temple. She gives the mom the idea of making Jing-Mei a prodigy. She was known for singing and dancing. Jing-Mei says,” At first my mother thought I could be a Chinese Shirley Temple” (Tan 70). Her mother thinks she can be just like Shirley Temple except a chines version.
In addition quote shows Lu Ling's connection to her dead father who is named Baby Uncle. He says that Precious Auntie speaks the language of the stars, which creates a connection between father and daughter. The final story, Two Kinds is generally focused on a mother and her daughter. The mother who is named Daisy wants the best for her daughter who is named Jing-mei. Enforcing this and trying to teach that hard work can pay off, Daisy says, "You can be best at anything" (Tan, "Two Kinds" 413).
Being a black woman raised in a white world, Ann Petry was familiar with the contrast in lives of African Americans and whites (McKenzie 615). The Street, centered in 1940’s Harlem, details these differences. While Petry consistently portrays Harlem as dark and dirty, she portrays the all-white neighborhoods of Connecticut as light and clean. This contrast of dark vs light is used in the expected way to symbolize despair vs success.
The Rebellious Daughter: Analyzing the Theme of Amy Tan’s “Two Kinds” The story “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan explores the deep familial emotions between a mother and her daughter. Jing-Mei’s mother had left China to come to America after losing her family, and had been raising Jing-Mei in America with her second husband. Despite her mother’s grand hopes for Jing-Mei to become successful in America by becoming a child prodigy, Jing-Mei did not share the same opinions.
The use of symbolism in literary writing is essential. In this case, Wiesel uses the symbolism of “night” to strengthen his novel Night. He uses the significance of “night” to address the turning point for Elie, to show important events that occur during the night and to emphasize the importance of his life span. First, “night” addresses the turning point for Eliezer.
“After losing everything in China…She never looked back with regret. ”(Chunk 1 ¶3). Jing-Mei’s mother is a Chinese immigrant with the typical ‘everything is better in America’ mindset. Jing-Mei, being raised in America, had more of an American mindset. “You want me to be someone i’m not…I’ll never be the daughter you want me to be!”
Authors use symbols in literary to show you gateways into themes. Some are easily noticed but some are much more complex. In his literary work, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, Ishmael Beah uses symbols to underscore his central theme of oppression and freedom. The symbols used in this literary work to show the theme of freedom are the moon and the cassette tape Ishmael had from his childhood rap group. The symbol used to represent the theme of oppression is Ishmael’s dreams or nightmares.
Regardless, her mother still is persistent on Jing Mei becoming a prodigy, despite her passionless performance and her family’s negative reaction. In return, Jing Mei becomes angry at her mother, and will do anything to change her mind. Screaming, “I wish I were dead! Like them.”, her mother freezes, disappointed in her daughter, and quits Jing Mei’s piano classes. On Page 28-29, Jing Mei’s perspective on the world becomes more apparent: “For unlike my mother, I didn’t believe I could be anything I wanted to be, I could only be me.”
Two Kinds The story Two Kinds mainly focuses on a Chinese mother who has high expectations for her daughter. Furthermore, several internal and external conflicts are revealed. Conflict in this story is used to help propel the plot and develop the relationship between Jing-mei and her mother. Tan uses the central conflict between mother and daughter to develop the theme of the story: believe in yourself.
At first Jing-Mei grew in her dreams and desirers to be perfect for her family; “In all of my imaginings
However, this determination sometimes appears to be obsessive to the point of running her daughter’s life for her. Regardless, she is only trying to help, as she encourages Jing Mei by asserting “‘You can be best anything.’” (1). Because of this, it suggests that although she is very harsh on her daughter at times, it is only to make sure that Jing Mei can use her full potential and not end up losing everything like her
on the other hand Jing-Mei is America born and has more of an American culture mind set, which cause her to seem rebellious to her mother. Said by Jing-Mei’s Mother, “only two kinds of daughters!” she shouted in Chinese “those who are obedient and those who follow their mind! Only one kind of daughter can live in this house. Obedient Daughter!”
