Can someone help me with these UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING questions from Two Kinds by Amy Tan?

1. The story begins, "My mother believed you could be anything you wanted to be in America." How is this theme developed, and complicated, throughout the story? What evidence might suggest that there are flaws
in the mother's idea of the American Dream

2. Throughout the story, we are given brief details of the mother's history. How does
knowing the mother's past shape our understanding of her motives to push Jing-mei? What can be said about her motivation
for her daughter's success?

3. Jing-mei's view of herself shifts when she looks in the mirror in paragraph 12. What
is the significance of what she sees in her reflection? How does she redefine her understanding of what a prodigy is?

4. Jing-mei expresses surprise that her performance at the recital was so horrible. Given that she has fought her mother and piano practice for so long, what does her reaction to the recital reveal about her?

5. The story depicts the struggle between a mother and daughter as they grapple with their relationship, but it also depicts the tension between Chinese and American cultures. How
are these two conflicts related? How does the cultural conflict connect to the mother-
daughter conflict? What role do these conflicts play in progressing the plot of the story?

6. In paragraphs 38-40, what is the significance of the conversation between Jing-mei's
mother and Auntie Lindo in relation to the overall conflict of the story?

7. How does telling the story from Jing-mei's point of view both enrich and limit our understanding of the plot? Considering the age of Jing-mei,
what might be the benefit of using first person point of view? What information might we be
missing when given one perspective?

8. In paragraph 62, Jing-mei's mother explains that there are only two kinds of daughters,
"Those who are obedient and those who follow their own mind!" How does this information
influence your understanding of the mother's motivations and expectations for Jing-mei?

9. Though the story is not told through the mother's point of view, how does Tan include
details that give insight from the mother's perspective?

10. The setting of a story relates not only to time and place but also the social environment.
Consider the relationship of the characters in the story to time, place, and circumstance.
How does the setting contribute to the conflict in the story?

Respuesta :

Answer:

1. Throughout the story, the mother's belief that one can be anything they want in America is developed as she pushes Jing-mei to excel in various activities such as playing the piano. However, this belief becomes complicated as Jing-mei resists her mother's efforts and rebels against her expectations. Evidence of flaws in the mother's idea of the American Dream can be seen in her strict and sometimes oppressive parenting techniques, as well as in her narrow definition of success and achievement.

2. Knowing the mother's past, including her own struggles and sacrifices as an immigrant, helps shape our understanding of her motivations to push Jing-mei. The mother's desire for her daughter's success can be seen as stemming from a combination of her own unfulfilled dreams and aspirations, as well as a desire to ensure Jing-mei has better opportunities and a brighter future than she had.

3. When Jing-mei looks in the mirror and sees her "ordinary, unimpressive face," she redefines her understanding of what a prodigy is. This moment signifies a shift in Jing-mei's self-perception and challenges her mother's expectations for her to be a musical prodigy. Jing-mei begins to question her own abilities and desires, realizing that she may not fit her mother's vision of success.

4. Jing-mei's surprise at her poor performance at the recital reveals her inner conflict and confusion. Despite resisting her mother's expectations for so long, she is still affected by the pressure and expectations placed on her. This reaction highlights Jing-mei's struggle to find her own identity and reconcile her own desires with those of her mother.

5. The conflicts between the mother and daughter, as well as between Chinese and American cultures, are related as they both contribute to the tension and lack of understanding between the characters. The cultural conflict influences the mother-daughter conflict by shaping their differing expectations and priorities. These conflicts drive the plot forward as Jing-mei navigates her identity and confronts her mother's expectations.

6. The conversation between Jing-mei's mother and Auntie Lindo reveals the lingering tension and competition between the two women. This conversation adds depth to the overall conflict of the story as it shows the pressure and expectations placed on Jing-mei from both her mother and other family members.

7. Telling the story from Jing-mei's point of view enriches our understanding of the plot by providing insight into her thoughts and feelings. However, it also limits our understanding as we only see the events through her perspective. Considering Jing-mei's age, using first-person point of view allows us to experience her journey of self-discovery and rebellion.

8. The mother's explanation that there are only two kinds of daughters, obedient and those who follow their own mind, influences our understanding of her motivations and expectations for Jing-mei. This binary view of daughters reflects the mother's rigid beliefs and values, as well as her desire for Jing-mei to conform to her expectations. This statement reveals the mother's struggle to control and influence Jing-mei's choices and behaviors.

9. Tan includes details that give insight from the mother's perspective through her actions, words, and interactions with Jing-mei. The mother's motivations, struggles, and desires are conveyed through her strict parenting style, her efforts to push Jing-mei towards success, and her own backstory as an immigrant striving for a better life for her daughter.

10. The setting of the story, which takes place in a Chinese-American household in San Francisco, contributes to the conflict by emphasizing the clash of cultures, generations, and expectations. The characters' interactions within this setting reflect the broader social environment and challenges faced by immigrant families in America.