amy tan Essay - 1307 Words

Amy Tan’s â€Å"Two Kinds† is an autobiographical look into her childhood that shows the conflict between Tan and her mother, the difference between old and new cultures, the past and the present, and parents’ expectations vs. reality. Couples of opposing elements comprise the basis of the entire story; to another extent even the title itself, â€Å"Two Kinds,† shows the friction that Tan creates. The strongest argument that Tan suggest is that this may not only be a look into her own life, rather it may be the struggles that every child and parent goes through as they come into age. As the story advances, Tan’s journey of struggle through the relationship with her overbearing mother is unraveled. A sense of emotional growth and mutual respect can†¦show more content†¦Such a sad, ugly girl! I made high - pitched noises like a crazed animal, trying to scratch out the face in the mirror.† Tan expresses these emotions, as she is upset wi th not being as good as her mother is expecting. Her mother makes her feel as if she is not as good as she should be, though this strong attack maybe as simple as a failed attempt of Tan’s mother trying to make her realize that she is not fulfilling her own potential. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The most important parts of the story come in regards to the piano lessons that Tan is â€Å"forced† into taking. During the course of the piano lessons Tan and her mother unleash their vented emotions in a strong exchange quot;Why dont you like me the way I am?quot; I cried. quot;Im not a genius! I cant play the piano. Mother slapped me. quot;Who ask you to be genius?quot; she shouted. quot;Only ask you be your best. For you sake. You think I want you to be genius? Hnnh! What for! Who ask you! So ungrateful,quot; This strong exchange is large basis for argument of the misinterpreted attempts of each character. Tan herself is only trying to be do her best as her mother wants, even though her mother thinks that she is not trying as much as she really can. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The next largeShow MoreRelatedAmy Tan Essay1532 Words   |  7 Pages Amy Tan Amy Tan was born in 1952, in Oakland, California to Chinese immigrants John and Daisy Tan. Her family eventually settled in Santa Clara. When Tan was in her early teens, her father and one of her brothers died of brain tumors within months of each other. During this period Tan learned that her mother had been married before, to an abusive husband in China. After divorcing him, her mother fled China during the Communist takeover, leaving three daughters behind who she wouldRead MoreFish Cheeks By Amy Tan958 Words   |  4 PagesAmy Tan’s short story, Fish Cheeks, outlines the general idea of self-acceptance. 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In a society that values individuality, the daughter sought to be an individual, while her mother demanded she do what was suggested. This is a conflict within