I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior: Prose Analysis #2 of 2

Pg. 171; Paragraph 3


           My mouth went permanently crooked with effort, turned down on the left side and straight on the right. How strange that the emigrant villagers are shouters, hollering face to face. My father asks, "Why is it I can hear Chinese from blocks away? Is it that I understand the language? Or is it they talk loud?" They turn the radio up full blast to hear the operas, which do not seem to hurt their ears. And they yell over the singers that wail over the drums, everybody talking at once, big arm gestures, spit flying. You can see the disgust on American faces looking at women like that. It isn't just the loudness. It is the way Chinese sounds, chingchong ugly, to American ears, not beautiful like Japanese sayonara words with the consonants and vowels as regular as Italian. 


Analysis:


            This piece of passage firstly helps us see the symbolism of how a Chinese emigrant is portrayed through American eyes. The presented diction plays the imagery very well, especially where it repeats about the Chinese shouting being able to be heard blocks away, the big arm gestures, and the spitting. I myself see this in movies, as well and (with no offense intended) I can agree with what this passage is implying. But because these emigrated individuals are different, there is no reason for us to discriminate, nor for them to alter themselves because of discrimination. I gained this idea in my readings, and must I say, society has changed and acceptance is here.
            Secondly, in America, this is the perceived Chinese. But, back at their home, the Chinese are strict and skilled. There shall be no reason for chaos. There is order and expectations. Why now in America are they depicted as these types of human beings? The passage reads, "It isn't just the loudness. It is the way the Chinese sounds, chingchong ugly, to American ears, not beautiful like Japanese sayonara words with the consonants and vowels as regular as Italian." It seems as if coming to America has changed the Chinese point of view-from ordered to chaotic, from traditional to optional, from directed to wanting to feel "American-feminine." Describing your own people as "chingchong ugly" is another hint that Kingston was probably not as proud being a Chinese in America as she would be if she were back in China.
             In conclusion, this passage vaguely, but surely presses into the Chinese's image in America and adds another puzzle piece to the idea of Chinese emigrants' struggles and changes in direction to the American way.

I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior:Reader Response #4 of 4

         This last section of my reading is primarily focused on the final chapter, titled, "A Song for a Barbarian Reed Pipe." The whole story has come together in determining the truths of Chinese emigrants to America. In the place of a girl-throughout the expanse of the story- a lot of the passages define shame; how you are admitted into a shameful bubble and how you are treated because of it.
         A term repeated in the story is "American-feminine." Kingston, being a Chinese girl born in America, always felt the need to fit into the picture in American life. In my previous post, I mentioned recently reading of how the Asian-American emigrants are the fastest growing discriminated-against ethnic group. To collect information from the passages in the story, Chinese girls were under pressure just for being girls. Girls, in China, were considered the least favored sex, who would either become wives or slaves. I've come to realize that Kingston's fantasies of being a warrior were a sign of hope and dignity. I sense that it signified strength. Kingston did not want to be put down. If anything she may have wanted recognition and honor, because it is what she deserved, same for other Chinese girls. Chinese girls were constantly put straight to shame because they were girls. Boys were given the ultimate pride: the toys, the outings with uncle, the training, etc. Girls were the servants getting ready to be married to men with money who would go out to work and send the women money while she  cared for her family. I cannot agree with this. However, all this "women-being-lower" talk has been a part of cultures worldwide. Men were always the dominant sex.
          On account of raising a Chinese daughter, Brave Orchid (Kingston's mother) had cut her daughter's tongue so that she would not get tongue-twisted as she was raised. This did not work in Kingston's favor, for she was tongue-twisted anyway. But, I just can't understand why a mother would do such a thing as drastic as that. Why couldn't the mother have the hope to be content, no matter how her daughter had turned out? I'd really like to do more research and find out how morals differed between the Chinese and Americans. There was also a moment in the book where Kingston confesses to her mother that she had taken the life of a spider. This immediately offset her mother and she spoke no more of it. How strict, really, is it in a Chinese household? I do remember having a classmate in elementary school. Her name was Hannah L. Because my mother is a teacher at my elementary school, she had a conference with this girl's mother at the time. The mother tells my mom that her daughters do not watch television. They listen to music and play instruments and no matter how rocket-high their grades were already, they received tutoring on the side for advancement. This amazed me. I continue to wonder about their state of mind, expectations , racial thoughts as they get competitive, etc.
           All-in-all, I observed that Maxing Hong Kingston had come a long way in a hard life of being a Chinese emigrant to the United States of America. There was enough evidence to show that discretion was tight in the Chinese revealing themselves to the Americans. The Chinese children were asked not to disclose certain information to Americans. Evidently, growing up was already challenging because of that. What about making friends? Or sharing?  This has been another interesting read and an addition to my position on feminism, and I have to say that I can definitely compare privileged girls in high society, to those in foreign countries who are trying to get past in America; changing, reinventing, and converting themselves. I pray that females never shy away from their dreams and goals in life. Females are not servants, or slaves, or strictly wives. Females are their own warriors who fight every day just for the simplest things. Through this we can become the true heroes because firstly analyze what's within.

I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior:Reader Response #3 of 4

          Continuing on with my reading, I have grown to be so appreciative and accepting of this different ethnic background. Because this book is majority talk-story and fantasizing from Maxine Kingston's point of view, all I could really analyze are the experiences and the diction that the author uses. I'll have to admit that the images created in the lines are very abstract and full of meaning. To think of old China-and even old Asia, generally- is to think and feel art. I go on to read with respect towards people and traditional practices as the characters do amongst each other in interaction with their customs.
           When I read that Maxine Kingston's mother, had lost two children, happening to be Kingston's rightful siblings, I began to wonder. How much grief to people in this culture actually feel and experience? Do they believe in happiness in the life after the one lived? Or, do they believe it is simply what's destined for the individuals? Another point that came across was when I previously remembered reading of how girls are not the desired choice when a woman is bearing a child. In this section, I read that Kingston's mother had used money she received from her husband to attend medical school. I am struck once again with the mode of feminism, and I think, "That is great!" Way to make something of yourself. I saw that no matter how dishonoring a girl may be in old China, girls still have willpower, self-esteem, and determination. If I were a girl in old-China, I'd feel shameful for just being a girl if I had to hear that I'm a problem almost every day. It's nice to see that in Kingston's stories and characters, there is strength rising in the hearts of the females; carrying a child about to be born from an unknown man to your family and making a sacrifice to remove the same from your family, fantasizing of life as a Chinese warrior, hearing the accomplishments and dignified stories passed down from your mother. It's truly amazing. I really believe that all this talk-story empowers life and gives it a meaning. Not only is Kingston's mother passing the value of independence to her, but also the value of being yourself and knowing just how great a potential you have if you set your mind to it.
             Now, in total contradiction to what I just expressed myself on in response to this section, I come across another scenario. Old Chinese slave girls for sale. ENOUGH SAID. Really?! The book outlined that Kingston's mother, known as "Brave Orchid" in this section, had hassled on the idea that her daughter Maxine's birth had cost her $200 during the time when girls were being given away as slaves for FREE. You could say this makes me red in the face. Here I am thinking the Chinese were respectful. But my new idea is that they demand respect, but don't give it when there is any hint of shame in the picture. As an American citizen, we go by the U.S. Constitution, which promotes civil rights, liberties, and ultimately, the pursuit of happiness. (*gasp) What a big difference between cultures, basically on the values of respect.
            I am glad about one thing, though. My question had been answered. What "ghosts" are mentioned in the book? Who are they and how do they exist? Brave Orchid explains to her daughter and teaches her that the ghosts are plainly the white Americans since Kingston's family had become immigrants to the U.S. I recently read in the A.P. American Government textbook that the fastest growing population of discriminated immigrants to the U.S. are the Asian Americans. This saddens me. What a time Kingston's family must have been having. Their way of life must have been dramatically altered, just to search for better. As Mrs. Griffin stated once, America is "the gift that keeps on giving!"

I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior: Prose Analysis #1 of 2

A passage from pg.35; Lines 3-20


          My mother caught the blood and wiped the cuts with a cold towel soaked in wine. It hurt terribly- the cuts sharp; the air burning; the alcohol cold, then hot- pain so various. I gripped my knees. I released them. Neither tension nor relaxation helped. I wanted to cry. If not for the fifteen years of training, I would have writhed on the floor; I would have had to be held down. The list of grievances went on and on. If an enemy should flay me, the light would shine through my skin like lace.
          At the end of the last word, I fell forward. Together my parents sang what they had written, then let me rest. My mother fanned my back. "We'll have you with us until your back heals," she said.
          When I could sit up again, my mother brought two mirrors, and I saw my back covered entirely with words in red and black files, like an army, like my army. My parents nursed me just as if I had fallen in battle after many victories. Soon I was strong again. 


Analysis:


          The tone and diction in this section of text really depicts the scene. This descriptive writing, in combination with words of action really grips a reader in feeling what's going on. This is one type of aspect in books that readers like to engage in, and I enjoy this about the book because it makes the moments exciting, urging the readers to cover more ground in the text.
        
          The overall syntax is also put together very well. The flow of what goes on in this segment is one that can be read well, and also completes the idea of what's happening and what the characters are feeling or experiencing. As the elements of tone, diction, and syntax come together, the text provides a deep meaning or time in the story. This is another advantage to the reader because a text, as so, enhances the experience of imagining the story's scenes.
        
          What goes on in this scene very much symbolizes the nature of Chinese tradition. In many Asian countries, sacrifice and honor is a high portion of value. It is what sets society for the most part. For a parent to even carve on their child's back is really something that portrays strong moral values. This act is a good example of the expectations that the narrator is being held to.

I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior:Reader Response #2 of 4

          I'm finally getting to realize what's going on here. It's not just a story that Maxine Kingston is making up for the sake of telling stories, but stories that are involved within her own family and traditional, old China.
      
           Continuing from my previous response from the 1st section of my book to this second one, I see that the stories spoken transition from Kingston's family; her aunt, to the warrior Fa Mu Lan. Then it goes into more talk amongst Kingston and her mother. As I read, I felt as if Kingston, and probably many other Chinese girls in expectational families feel a certain pressure to keep the Chinese tradition and values alive; especially because shame on the family can happen as easily as attracting someone with sexuality and committing the act. I do agree with the expectations, for one. I also like how Kingston goes into these modes of Chinese fantasies- the example: she dreams and places herself in the position of Fa Mu Lan. As the girl narrating the story, Kingston feels the importance to keep shame away from her family and to stray away from the path that her aunt took.
        
          I came across the lines in the story that spoke if it being better to raise geese than girls. I believe this is because Chinese men could become warriors. There was nothing much that a girl could do but house work, farming, or producing children. And I thought, if I were in this position, at least a girl in old China, I would be... quite ashamed to even step foot out of my home if that's what my elders or authority thought of my person. However, in unlike fashion, Kingston moved along telling stories with pride. I was greatly astonished when Kingston was fantasizing of her life as a warrior. When she told her parents, they had both taken her to a place in the house that was secluded. Her mother had her remove her shirt, and her father looked away. Knowing that she was going to war, they carved the names of revenge on her back! I questioned, "How could they do such a thing to their daughter?!" but I figured it's China, and that is some kind of sacrifice or duty of honor. I saw, that as a warrior, the girl felt honor, whereas being a daughter brought into a Chinese family was somewhat a disappointment. I didn't like this.

          I could say that throughout this second section of the book (from my division), I was very appreciative of all the pictures that flooded my mind. I like how the author, Kingston, used lots of descriptive words that painted the scenes as I read. It was very nice. Every time I pick up the book and begin reading again it's like a whole new experience.

I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior:Reader Response #1

          Through Maxine Hong Kingston's diction in her book The Woman Warrior, we are told tales of which have been story-told for generations of old China and up until today with this novel. The subtitle reads, "Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts." From there, I knew this would be a rather interesting delight, and after reading the first two sections-No Name Woman and White Tigers- I figured the term "ghosts" would symbolize Chinese ancestors.
      
          From page one, the art filled my mind. (That of the Asia really appeals to me as artwork.) The story told of the sister in a Chinese family who had sexual relations with an unknown man. This is a mother telling this to her own daughter. This sister was her husband's sister. Shame was set upon the family after the sister had become pregnant and their family home had been raided. Expecting the birth of the child, she had awaited far from home, bearing the pain and telling of the view in heaven, and many other scenes that shifted in and out of her mind. The time drew nearer and nearer and she suddenly moves into the pigsty where the baby is born. The mother decides to drown themselves-mother and child- in the family well because of the shame. The daughter was told not to speak of this aunt of hers. The "no name" woman. My reaction to this? Wow! Cultural expectations differ all around the world, and for this particular woman to be put to shame, driving her to commit this act, is a thought that gives me goosebumps. It's terrifying. The happening is terror in itself. With the story beginning this way, I became very very interested, desiring to read more and learn more. And then, I thought. If such shame is placed upon an individual for doing this, then where does the honor derive. This is, in fact, titled The Woman "Warrior," what tale will enter my mind after this.
      
           There it was-White Tigers. It tells a tale of the daughter, carried into the clouds following a bird. It was beautiful, and very much dream like. She was climbing a mountain, hands torn up, feet torn up from the everlasting climb. She is greeted by an old man and an old woman with many offerings to her. After a day and night's stay, she is given the choice, to go home to her family, or to stay there and train to become a warrior! At last! A warrior! The old man and old woman were spiritual battle trainers, or as we know, monks. I was then reminded of the mentioned Fa Mu Lan (my reference to the Disney movie) and to another Disney move, Wendy Wu. They were both warriors of Chinese descent awaiting battle. I recognized the strength beheld in a woman. How much honor placed in them; especially in being a Chinese warrior. The daughter chose to train and I felt, in myself, a sense of pride and empowerment. Girls can do anything and girls have their own strength. Reading on about the girl's life with the monks was appealed to me as something very dignified and honorable indeed. I'm very curious to join the storyteller and her characters on this foreign journey. My reading continues from here.

I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston

          This book here, being read by me-Alana Chargualaf-is definitely one that shocked me! I knew I would be reading about old Chinese ways;particularly, upon a female. However, I had finally spotted the cover and it reveals, "Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts." Ghosts?! Really. I never thought another day would come again. The first time I read about ghosts in an Asian story was a long time ago as a young girl, and the title was, "The Ghost Fox." The book is still packed up somewhere in my house. The first thing I noticed was that The Woman Warrior is much more sophisticated and at my level. Just reading the first line, I became intrigued. I am looking forward to furthering my read. From this book , I expect to gain wisdom on old Chinese culture and tradition, as well as a different perspective on womanhood. My new goal is to study the womanhood and femininity of the diverse women around the world in accordance with their cultures. Good luck to the rest of my fellow classmates on their second Independent Reading assignments!