My exposure to Asian American culture is limited I must say. I didn’t realize just how much before reading the Takaki piece. In all my experience with American history/lit classes, I can count on one hand the number of times I have encountered their distinct culture. I found the Yang piece very interesting. I don’t have a lot of experience with graphic novels but I really think it is amazing how deep a “comic book” can be. Chin-kee’s character holds a lot of significance in the story. While his character magnifies the negative stereotypes that white Americans have about Asian Americans, I think Yang did this to show the ridiculousness of the stereotypes. Danny, who somehow morphs into Jin Wang (still lost on that one), was not receptive of his cousin or his cousin’s culture. The way that Danny treated Chin-kee highlighted the bad behavior toward Asian Americans. Had Chin-kee’s behavior not been exaggerated, the reader may not have felt quite as sympathetic toward Chin-kee. In my reading, I felt embarrassed along with Danny at the “abnormal” and often inappropriate behavior of Chin-kee, but when the fight breaks out on pg 206, my sympathy went completely to Chin-kee. I smiled a little when Chin-kee kicked his butt! Regardless of his behavior, he was family and Danny turned on his family.
I think another reason Chin-kee’s behavior was so exaggerated was because Yang planned on him transforming into the Monkey King. I’m still not sure what that was about, and other insight is appreciated, but it makes sense that of all the characters he could become, Chin-kee would be a monkey. I don’t know a whole lot about monkeys, but from what I’ve heard about the monkeys in Cincinnati, they aren’t the best behaved of species. I’m sure that the monkey holds some sort of significance in Asian culture because animals usually are when used in literature, but the behavior issue is the only idea that came to my mind. I am very open to other ideas about this though. Chin-kee’s behavior in several of the scenes was loud, inappropriate and just plain wrong. For example, when Chin-kee first enters Danny’s life, he makes very… I’ll say instinctual, statements about Danny’s girlfriend. There was nothing subtle about his comments or intentions. His behavior here gives a whole new meaning to “he’s a dog.” A few frames later, Chin-kee again behaves wildly as he sings and dances on a table in what looks like a library. This behavior is again, animalistic. I could be totally off base here. I’d like to know what everyone else thinks.
Hi Becka, since you haven’t had chance to explore more about other cultures, such as Asian culture, I bet this could be an opportunity for you learn more about Asian American culture. First of all, I agreed with some of your reflection but I am afraid I might have to comment on some of your opinions I hope you wouldn’t mind. Instead of saying that Chin-kee represents the “ridiculousness of the stereotypes”, I think Yang intentionally created the character with monkey-liked characteristic to implied that the character is special, so when the time that she reveals Chin-kee’s real identity, the reader will be amazed and realized the fact that “no wonder why Chin-kee is so active and has some sort of monkey-liked characteristic”. I understand you got the same thought. Moreover, I think the reason that the Monkey-King is involved is strongly related to “Wei-Chen Sun”. You are right, monkey is closely related to Chinese culture, but mostly are the positive sides such as, the Chinese Zodiac sign and Horoscope, the world-famous “Journey to the West” legend, and some characteristics of monkey. For Chinese people, they think monkeys look most similar to human being, they are smart, active, quick learner, and flexible. That explains why “monkey-king” is the leading character in the “Journey to the West”. For the last part of your reflection, I think in Yang’s perspective, she might think that if “monkey-King” can ruin the party in the heaven, then by using “Chin-kee” as his cover in the human world, he must also do some crazy stuff like he did in the heaven, so that it would make sense to link these two character as one at the end of the story. I hope this perspective could help explain your confusion.
ReplyDeleteBecka,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading both yours and Anthony's comments, I can see the cultural significance in the Monkey King now. I had never thought to compare the erratic behavior between Chin-Kee and the Monkey King, which is interesting. I do think that Anthony's point about the Monkey symbolizing something special also brings another element to the story. I think Yang may have been trying to make that point as well. Perhaps he was trying to get the reader to see how special Chin-Kee was, instead of how ridiculous he was. Looking from that perspective, you can say that Chin-Kee's behavior when he dances on the table and says crude things to the girl are his perception of American culture. This idea gives a whole new perspective to the story. It shows that Danny is not a special character. He is ordinary, whereas Chin-Kee is not. Perhaps Yang was saying that a person rooted deep in his or her culture is better than a person who has no culture at all.
As for your confusion about the morphing of Danny into Jin Wang, it follows the stories theme of transformation. Jin was attempting to transform into an American (a culture-less American if you believe my previous paragraph). When Chin-Kee transforms into the Monkey King, and Danny into Jin Wang, the reader sees that transforming who you are and losing your culture because of it is not a fulfilling way to live. I think it also shows how honorable the Monkey King was for transforming into Chin-Kee and showing Jin Wang that losing his culture completely is losing yourself.
Thank you both for your responses! Anthony, I knew there was some significance but I never knew what it was. It makes sense that monkey's are human like so they would hold a special place in the culture. I understood more about the morphing scene after our class discussion. I like it a lot more now. The Monkey King inspiring Danny return to his true being is creative genius!
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