Multicultural Comparison of China and the United States, based on The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan

944 Words2 Pages

In The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan, the protagonist, Olivia, faces the conflict of her two sides, white American and Chinese. She was born half white half Chinese, with a white mother and a Chinese father. She was born in America. When her father dies, her mother forces Chinese principles and says that her and her siblings should honor the “Yee” family name. Olivia learns that she has a Chinese half-sister named Kwan. After a long hard journey of looking for her Chinese sister, she finally meets her. In her life with her sister Kwan, she is always pushing her Chinese heritage in her face with her native tongue and talks of ‘Yin People’. She is so used to her that she even grows to understand Chinese. Kwan is often there for Olivia to take place of her absent mother, healing her and giving her emotional support. Olivia spends her childhood resenting her sister, making fun of her whenever she has the chance. Despite her sister’s negative ways, Kwan stays positive and loyal to Olivia. Kwan spends many nights discussing her gift, the “Yin Eyes”, her dead friends in the Yin World, and her past lives with Olivia. Olivia grows tired and goes as far as telling her parents even though Kwan told her to keep it a secret. They then send Kwan to a mental institution. When Kwan returns home, Olivia is stuck with the constant guilt in the back of her mind.
Years later, Olivia and Kwan grow up. Olivia still resents her sister, also feeling sorry for her at the same time. She often tolerates phone calls and conversations with her Kwan about her past lives and the Yin People. Olivia faces another conflict in the story, a marriage and business partnership with her emotionally detached husband Simon. After they separate, Kwan spends countless t...

... middle of paper ...

...ere are many differences between the cultures that Olivia and Kwan share. In the novel, it is apparent that Kwan is much more appreciative to the things she is able to achieve in America, than Olivia is. Olivia would not know the poor conditions of a village in China if she had not visited. All of these cultural differences make them similar. Both cultures, with common ideas spread through-out.

Works Cited

Chang, Emily. "Inside the Cat and Dog Meat Market in China." CNN. Cable News Network, 09 Mar. 2010. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.
"Communism and Computer Ethics." Communism: In China. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.
"Differences and Similarities between American and Chimese Cultures." Prezi.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.
"Egalitarian." The Free Dictionary. Farlex, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.
Tan, Amy. The Hundred Secret Senses. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1995. Print.

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