Two Kinds By Amy Tan Figurative Language Analysis

Ernest Hemingway once said, “When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people not characters. A character is a caricature.” The techniques used throughout the short story develop clear images and ideas of the characters. This includes their personalities, physical features, and habits. In the story “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan, the author uses dialogue and figurative language to develop the characters.

Through the use of figurative language the characters are expanded in the story. “She had a peculiar smell like a baby that had done something in its pants.” (page 21) is just one example of figurative language in the story. The simile helps the reader to infer that Ni Kan does not like the woman because of what she compared her smell

“Why don’t you like me the way I am? I’m not a genius!...My mother slapped me. Who ask you be genius?...Only ask be your best. For your sake.” (Page 20). Readers can infer that Ni Kan and her mother don’t have the best relationship. This is shown by Ni Kan words and her mother's reaction to them. It makes readers feel that Ni Kan’s mom might expect to much from her. Another example is “ ‘Maybe she’s not the best, but she’s trying hard.’ I knew almost immediately I would be sorry I said that. ‘Just like you,’ she said. ‘Not the best. Because you not trying.’ ” is another example of dialogue in the text. Readers can gather that Ni Kan’s mother expects a lot from her. Even when Ni Kan tries her best it's not good enough for her mother. One more example is " ‘You want me to be something that I'm not!’ I sobbed. ‘I'll never be the kind of daughter you want me to be!’ ‘Only two kinds of daughters,’ she shouted in Chinese. ‘Those who are obedient and those who follow their own mind! Only one kind of daughter can live in this house. Obedient daughter!’ ". From this readers can easily imagine that Ni Kan might feel like a disappointment. Her mother wants her to be someone she's not. Dialogue in the story expanded how characters were interpreted for readers. Dialogue and Figurative language helped to grow the characters in the short story “Two Kinds”. Both Figurative Language and Dialogue were used in the text “Two Kinds” to contribute to the growth of the characters. In Conclusion, based off the words of Ernest Hemingway characters should be developed as living beings, with complex personalities and