Two Kinds By Amy Tan Characters
Amy Tan's short story “Two Kinds” tells the story of the relationship between the protagonist, Jing
Mei Woo and her mother. Jing-Mei’s mother believes that America, is the land of opportunity
where she could be, “anything she wanted”(1). Hence, she has high hopes that her daughter will
become a prodigy. Her mother is unclear of what exactly that could be, considering her search
through a myriad of avenues. Nevertheless, she knows that with hard work, there is success.
In the beginning, of the story the protagonist is quickly put through a series of tests. Mei-Woo’s
mother, “would present new tests, taking her examples from stories of amazing children”(1).
Furthermore, she would intellectually tests her, as she tried to scrutinize
her talents. Her mother first
tries to mold her daughter into becoming a Chinese Shirley Temple. However, as Ni Kan
frequently failed her expectations, not showing promise in any field her mother finally decides that
she will become a pianist.
As a pianist, her career was a failure and thus we move into the climax of this story. On
page three her mother slapped her and accused her of being ungrateful. In addition as her piano
lessons continued, Mei-Woo continued her journey further into the abyss. Jing-Mei was determined
to fight against her mother. Feeling the prodigy that she had discovered as she said, “I now felt
stronger, as if my true self had finally emerged.” Moreover, Jing-Mei was steadfast to thwart her
mothers dreams as she refused to continue practicing the piano.
As Mei-Woo makes her return she first makes a transformation. She acquires a new way of
thinking, she expresses, “I could only be me”(7). Unlike her mother she does not see the world
through the way her mother raised her to see it. Hence, her mothers dreams were not hers. In her
return Mei-Woo makes one last discovery. She notices two titles, “Pleading Child” and “Perfectly
Contented” realizing, “they were two halves of the same song”(8). It is clear that Jing Mei Woo
cannot become perfectly contented because of the gap between mother and daughter.
Mei Woo and her mother. Jing-Mei’s mother believes that America, is the land of opportunity
where she could be, “anything she wanted”(1). Hence, she has high hopes that her daughter will
become a prodigy. Her mother is unclear of what exactly that could be, considering her search
through a myriad of avenues. Nevertheless, she knows that with hard work, there is success.
In the beginning, of the story the protagonist is quickly put through a series of tests. Mei-Woo’s
mother, “would present new tests, taking her examples from stories of amazing children”(1).
Furthermore, she would intellectually tests her, as she tried to scrutinize
her talents. Her mother first
tries to mold her daughter into becoming a Chinese Shirley Temple. However, as Ni Kan
frequently failed her expectations, not showing promise in any field her mother finally decides that
she will become a pianist.
As a pianist, her career was a failure and thus we move into the climax of this story. On
page three her mother slapped her and accused her of being ungrateful. In addition as her piano
lessons continued, Mei-Woo continued her journey further into the abyss. Jing-Mei was determined
to fight against her mother. Feeling the prodigy that she had discovered as she said, “I now felt
stronger, as if my true self had finally emerged.” Moreover, Jing-Mei was steadfast to thwart her
mothers dreams as she refused to continue practicing the piano.
As Mei-Woo makes her return she first makes a transformation. She acquires a new way of
thinking, she expresses, “I could only be me”(7). Unlike her mother she does not see the world
through the way her mother raised her to see it. Hence, her mothers dreams were not hers. In her
return Mei-Woo makes one last discovery. She notices two titles, “Pleading Child” and “Perfectly
Contented” realizing, “they were two halves of the same song”(8). It is clear that Jing Mei Woo
cannot become perfectly contented because of the gap between mother and daughter.