Tan Position Paper Amy Tan’s essay “Mother Tongue” describes the author’s mother as having ”broken” English and being treated unfairly for it. Tan writes about the different types of English and how her mother‚ who is from china‚ has her own type of English to express herself with. But sadly‚ some people are short with her mother‚ just because they don’t understand her. Tan Begins to write about the different “Englishes” she uses in her everyday life. She describes speaking differently
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their family culture. In the short story The Rules of the Game‚ by Amy Tan‚ Mei Mei is taught from a young age to always win. Mei Mei’s mother is a Chinese American and raises her by following the Chinese culture. Mei Mei is convinced that she has to win every argument‚ game‚ and even the respect from others. When Mei Mei wins a chess tournament her mother does not congratulate her but instead says‚ “Next time win more‚ lose less”(Tan 121). The simple fun game of chess instantly turns Mei Mei into a
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that has a huge effect on the way people view others. The term “broken english” is used to describe someone who doesn’t have good english. If they have heavy accents‚ or don’t say things as a native english speaker would‚ we are quick to judge. In Amy Tan’s article “Mother Tongue”‚ she talks about how the term “broken english” isn’t a fair term. In the discussion on week 4‚ Lilia Reynaga said the following about broken english‚ “I don’t like the term broken English I know people use it often when
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Metamorphosis in Amy Tan’s Story‚ “Two Kinds” The excerpt from “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan describes the conflict between a mother and her rebellious daughter. The psychological effect of the struggle between personal freedom and the persistence of her mother’s will is shown as the protagonist and narrator‚ Jing-mei‚ recollects her upbringing. The transformation of her personality‚ under these circumstances‚ remains present throughout her life. Amy Tan uses a variety of narrative techniques to show
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this is intimacy. Words like “Du Yusong having business like fruit stand. Like off the street kind” cannot be understood by all. Because of her mother’s limited English‚ which the author believed reflected the quality of what she had to say‚ she was ashamed of her mother. She provided plenty of evidence to support her perspectives: the fact that people who served her mother did not respect her. Furthermore‚ Tan thought her mother’s English almost had an effect on her possibilities in life. She provided
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else; we are then told how english wasn’t Amy’s strongest subject and later on we are told about the difficulties her mother experienced because of the way she spoke english and the prejudice she faced. In the text Tan uses a variety of stylistic devices to express herself‚ tans use of parallel structures is used frequently throughout the piece‚ for example she starts the first paragraph with the phrase "i am not a scholar of english" and the second with "i am a writer"; this contrast implies
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Half and Half Thought Paper In Amy Tan’s “Half and half” She writes of two different cultures merging: eastern and western culture. She also writes of faith‚ supposed loss of faith and superstition. She continues to write of her mother’s secret hope that her lost child‚ Bing‚ will someday return. Finally‚ she addresses the archetype of water and the concept of baptism through the death of the narrator’s younger Brother. As the title suggests‚ Tan’s life is full of halves. A predominant aspect
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Equality in Martin Luther King and Amy Tan Martin Luther king and Amy Tan have both succeed in gaining “equality” for everyone. You may ask how did Martin Luther King and Amy Tan earned equality for all. Will I can tell you that both of them were brave to speak up against what they feel was wrong. They both wanted respect for all people of any race‚ and culture. The accomplishment of achieving equality for everyone was not easy for both of them; there were actually multipull critics against
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Mariama Barry ENG110 Prof. Edmondson 12/11/12 Both stories “Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan and “Learning to read” by Frederick Douglass talk about how language both helped and hurt them. In Amy’s Tan “Mother Tongue” she explains how language has affected her as a child. She began to noticing the type of English she used in her books and with her mother. On the other hand‚ Frederick Douglass also explains how language has helped him “forge” his Identity. As a slave‚ he did not know how to read
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In the essay‚ “Mother Tongue” author Amy Tan‚ discusses the “power of language – the way it can evoke an emotion‚ a visual image‚ a complex idea‚ or a simple truth.” Tan began to explain that when she was speaking to a large group about her book‚ “The Joy Luck Club‚” she suddenly realized the different “Englishes” she uses. As she proceeds‚ she mentions the time when she was walking down the street with her mother and husband discussing prices of new and old furniture‚ where she became aware once
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