All posts by ll113129

Group C – Final Project

Building off Mindy’s idea of the Chinese food container, I think we should different kinds of foods inside the containers and ask people which one is the authentic dish.  For the Chinese meal, we can get some low-end (maybe even frozen food) dish and the other containers something better. The purpose is to show how authenticity is something that relies heavily on another’s definition and perception.

American Born Chinese – Close Reading

One of the aspects of transitioning from childhood to adolescence involves acceptance into a social circle with new peers and new roles.  Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel, American Born Chinese, illustrates the struggle for acceptance.  Jin faces the battle of keeping his Chinese culture and at the same time being accepted by his American friends as just another kid. These opposing forces are the root of Jin’s dream of being a Transformer.

Accompanying his mother on her weekly visit to the Chinese herbalist, the herbalist’s wife (a senior citizen), asks Jin what he wants to be when he grows up.  Jin excitedly tells her that he wants to be a Transformer. The old lady represents old world customs.  First, she is keeping track of bills on an abacus and not a calculator and her inability to pronounce the word transformer (Trans-fo-ma?”, she says), and does not know the definition of the word, “Transformers”, are two more indicators of her presence as a bastion of Chinese tradition.  “Jin then explains the concept behind the Transformer toy and changes it from a robot into a truck.  Jin then tells the old woman that his mother dismisses his dream.  “But Ma-Ma says that’s silly.  Little boys don’t grow up to be Transformers.” Jin’s mother wants to strip Jin of his ability of self-identification.  Jin also understands that being able to transform comes with a special ability that not too many possess.  The Transformer toy that Jin has “… got a trailer that magically appears whenever he transforms.”  Jin verablizes his ability to change because like the toy’s motto, he too is “more than meets the eye.”  He can follow Chinese customs and traditions with his Chinese friends and family and celebrate American culture when he is around the “typical” American society one is made to follow.  “It’s easy to become anything you wish… so long as you’re willing to forfeit your soul”, the old woman tells Jin.  To the old woman, tradition and culture is what defines a person and any desire to veer from its path is complete and utter destruction.  Jin, who was earlier excited to tell another person of his dream, becomes fearful and unsure of what his future holds.  While the mother and the old woman were raised in a society that shares one tradition and the same history, it is very simple to dismiss Jin’s dreams of being a Transformer.  The old woman and Jin’s mother fail to recognize the pressure Jin faces growing up in multi-cultural society.

Monsters

In her essay, Monsters, Tacey Rosolowski, recounts her childhood and her and hers sisters obsession with B-movies that featured monsters. Rosolowski grew up in the 1960s but was too young to fully understand the social and political climate of the time.  “…the Vietnam War, the exploding racial tensions [were events] that were beyond our [her and her sisters] grasp.” The manner in which the kids in her age group mimicked their older sibling’s way of dressing and being part of the “love movement” further alienated Rosolowski.  “In these scenes I was always the outsider.”  Being an outsider explains Rosolowski’s fascination with the monster movies.  Monsters possessed several qualities that Rosolowski wished to possess and tried to personalize those characteristics into her life. She was attracted as to how comfortable monsters lived outside of the social construct. Monsters are categorized as something abnormal. Abnormal not just in appearance but abnormal to the accepted social structure. Rosolowski and her sister would not behave in the manner that young ladies were expected to behave.  Watching monster movies offered that escape.  Not only was Rosolowski able to associate with the monster as beings outside the social construct,  she was able to personalize their physical appearance. As a child, Rosolowski battled weight issues, or better yet, was told that she suffered from weight issues.  Rosolowski appreciated the fact that monsters were not concerned with the appearance.  “…plodding monsters spoke to me. They burst out freely, throwing their weight around utterly unrestrained.”  Rosolowski was very much constrained. Into trying to lose weight and having controlled portions of the foods she ate.  Rosolowski desired the power to become free and to define herself outside the social construct. Because of this longing, it is clear as to why Roslowski sought refuge and found inspiration in monster movies.

  1. B-Movies are not as popular today as they were when Rosolowski grew up.  If Rosolowski grew up today, what genre of film do you think she would draw inspiration from?
  2. Children today are being bullied at alarming rates and in some instances resulting in death. Do you think that B-movies would help them find the strength and courage to be themselves?