In
Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese, there are three distinct stories
that come together to tell a tale about accepting oneself. Two of the tales are
similar in that they focus on someone who wishes to separate themself from what
they are, delivering this message beautifully. However, the story of Chin-kee is
clear in its purpose at first—to represent in the vilest way all of the stereotypes
Asians face in America. It becomes unclear when Chin-kee suddenly turns into
the Monkey King and tells Danny—suddenly Jin—to accept who he is. This unexpected twist,
however, gives Chin-kee and Danny much greater roles in the story as a whole, beyond
representing stereotypes.
One of
Chin-kee’s purposes is to show how Jin accepts his Chinese attributes and heritage
at the end, despite the stereotypes associated with it. Chin-kee is a manifestation
of the hatred Jin develops for Asians. Because Jin has become so influenced by stereotypes,
he has begun to see them as if they are true. An early example of this is when
Jin shames Wei-chen for trying to speak to him in Chinese. Although Wei-chen is
trying to make friends, Jin simply says, “You’re in America. Speak English”
(37). He also claims that he’s friends with the other white boys. Jin criticizes
Wei-chen for holding onto Taiwanese norms, asking him to “stop acting like such
an F.O.B.” (89). It’s clear that Jin is trying to separate himself from Chinese
culture, attacking it on multiple occasions. Chin-kee represents the way Jin
has begun to view other Asians—disgustingly different and haunting him no
matter how hard he tries to get away. Danny represents Jin’s attempt to
separate himself from other Asians.
The
story of Chin-kee and Danny makes Jin’s story more similar to that of the
Monkey King’s, enhancing the messages of the novel and allowing for more
connections to be drawn. Both Jin and the Monkey King change their physical forms
to be something different. The Monkey King grows to dislike monkeys and hates
to be associated with them. He demands that “all monkeys must wear shoes” (55)
like the gods and goes into a rage whenever someone calls him the ‘Monkey King.’
By having Danny turn out to be Jin, Yang makes their stories that much more
similar, adding power to the Monkey King’s words when he says, “I would have
saved myself from five hundred years’ imprisonment beneath a mountain of rock
had I only realized how good it is to be a monkey” (223). Because of Danny and
Chin-kee’s story, this powerful message translates directly to Jin’s situation.
At first, it’s a little unclear as to why Chin-kee
is suddenly revealed to be the Monkey King, but on closer inspection, it’s more
than just a tool to connect all three stories. It not only enforces the theme
of transformations and the forfeiting of one’s soul to do so (29) but also the
idea that because of harmful stereotypes, members of a minority group can
perpetuate hateful ideas about themselves and come to believe these stereotypes.
Thus, Chin-kee’s story serves to raise awareness about such stereotypes and their
harmful effect on the minority group involved, enhancing the messages of the
novel.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn Gene Luen Yang’s characterization of Chin-Kee, the audience definitely sees Jin’s manifestation of hatred for his culture as you said. From when Chin-Kee first enters with Chinese take-out boxes as his luggage, to the use of diction to mimic a Chinese immigrant’s accent, Yang draws an uncomfortable picture of a harmful stereotype come to life (Yang, 48). Not only does Yang portray Chin-Kee as a loud and overtly crude person, but he also demoralizes Chin-Kee. From when he meets Danny’s crush and blatantly comments on her body to then peeing in Danny’s teammate’s coke, Yang constructs Chin-Kee as insufferable and completely unaware of cultural norms in America (51, 118). This demoralization of Chin-Kee almost seems to justify Danny’s own irritation with his cousin, which is further shown in their fight towards the end of the graphic novel. While it is initially confusing as to how Chin-Kee and Danny’s story connects to Jin Wang’s story in the beginning, Yang’s confrontation between Chin-Kee and Danny ultimately provides a physical clash of Jin’s own hatred with his identity. What is interesting is how Danny’s final punch is a result of Chin-Kee’s statement of going to see Danny “eve[r]y year” and “[f]orever” (211). By landing that final blow on Chin-Kee, Danny is able to unlock the real truth behind Chin-Kee’s presence in his life, which definitely aligns with your analysis on how Danny perpetuates hateful ideas about himself and his culture through harmful stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteI think your assessment of the novel is really insightful. I specifically appreciate your points regarding Jin's internalization of others' view of Asian people throughout. It is the constant racist remarks and exclusion that Jin experiences from others that compels him to distance himself as much as possible from his identity; in turn, his fear becomes that people will view him as connected to Asian people and culture despite his efforts. Chin-Kee, then, is a physical manifestation of that fear - the very embodiment of all that Jin/Danny wishes not to be. Similar to how Danny cannot escape Chin-Kee's burdensome presence, Jin cannot escape his identity as a Chinese person. Understanding this drives Danny/Jin to react aggressively at times, as if he is backed into a corner and needs to fight his way out. For example, towards the novel's close, Danny repeatedly punches Chin-Kee after he caught him dancing on a table in the school's library (211). By drawing attention to himself, Chin-Kee also brings attention to Danny and his Asian heritage. Because Chin-Kee, to Jin/Danny, is a nightmarish reflection of himself and a representation of who he "really" is, his violence toward him can also represent the hatred he feels toward himself for his identity.
ReplyDelete