Introduction
Religion is a contemporary issue influencing civilization, morals, laws, and cultural societies globally. The American Born Chinese written by Gene Luen Yang’s narrates the experiences of immigrants in America using three different tales. This book conveys three major morals, which are resisting the urge to be assimilated, not denying your conviction, and being proud of one’s heritage. Both the natives and immigrant in the US have negative experience regarding religion and myths.
Religious Experiences
The first narrative involves a Chinese-American student who moved into natives’ neighborhood where he experienced alienation and discrimination from his classmates. The second storyline talks about a mythical monkey-king who pretended to be a deity after he was denied entry to a heaven party. The third scenario concerns physical torture experienced by a student in an American high school perpetrated by his cousin Chin-Kee.
Religion unites people from different cultures by giving them an understanding of their existence. It has both positive and negative impacts on culture and the way individuals treat non-native in their midst. The United States is a multicultural nation, it is currently facing religious conflicts caused by difficulties in assimilation and accommodation of people from a different faith. The books show how American immigrants are determined to maintain their beliefs, myths, and culture. However, as they struggle with diversity, they are also facing several issues such as identity loss, self-acceptance, and lack of control.
The American born Chinese book revealed that immigrants struggle to live and fit into American society in the US. The urge to have a sense of belonging causes an undesirable impact on the identities and diversity of people. Non-natives Americans are struggling to fit into the society by trying to assimilate with her cultures and in the process, they eventually lose their roots and themselves. The phrase “Sorry to bother you, but aren’t you Chinese? You’re in America. Speak English” (Yang 45), which is an excerpt of a conversation between Jin Wang and a new student, Wei-Chen Sun indicates, that the character never wanted to be associated with his culture. It is punitive and depressing to surrender an original self before being accepted in a new environment.
In the narrative, the well-being of some characters was influenced by how one used their religion and myths to make life experiences better. For instance, the famous Chinese Monkey King myth was utilized by Jin Wang to help him fit into society. He wanted to be loved and respected like the ape, which was adored. Eventually, this character changed his appearance, friends, and the way he acted and looked to be as students of American origin.
It is common for immigrant families to be assimilated for them to survive in the US. Wang tried to change himself by embracing the native culture to avoid stigma, myths, and stereotypes associated with Chinese ethos. For instance, Jin Wang disregarded his Asian norms by altering his hairstyle to upset an American girl (Yang 101). Additionally, he ignored and dissociated completely with Wei-Chen, his culture mate for recognition in the American boys club. It shows that it is difficult trying to fit into a new society because a person has to change his or her set of customs.
Monkeys Story
Religion creates, shapes, and sustains civilization; the current western contemporary culture is based on the ancient American conviction. The monkey king behavior is equated to Jin Wang’s wish and efforts to conform to foreign principles, although the monkey king was adored and respected as the island ruler, he tried to change himself from being a monkey. His struggles for self-acceptance and lack of contentment denied him the chance to enjoy reigning over Flower Mountain.
There is a rising interest in piety associated with American religion illustrated by the Monkey King narratives. The Flower Mountain ruler had mastered almost all heavenly disciplines because he had reigned for more than a thousand years. This leader yearned to change from being an ape to becoming a deity, so he left his kingdom to attend other gods’ party. However, he was shunned and called a dirty monkey in the gathering. Being treated without respect made him angry to appoint of attacking all the goddesses and gods in the party.
The Monkey story demonstrates how the American religion struggling to be accepted and approved in both the government and society. Just as the flower king wanted to have a higher acknowledgment by being a god, the American religion is also yearning for recognition and identity. Additionally, it revealed that individuals are shifting from past region to spirituality as they seek a deeper meaning of their existence.
Jing Wang
The United States is characterized by religious diversity due to the presence of immigrants and multicultural societies. The story of Jin Wang’s who was born to a San Francisco based immigrant family shows the effects of diversity on culture and community. His classmate appreciated Chinese ethos. However, the phrase “My momma says Chinese people eat dogs.” And “Now be nice, Timmy! Am sure Jin doesn’t do that! In fact, Jin’s family probably stopped that sort of thing as soon as they came to the United States!” (Yang 30) showed that there are conflicting ideologies in the society concerning Chinese culture. Wang became lonely and isolated due to racial discrimination experienced after his classmates made fun of him, their food, and their way of eating.
Danny
In one narrative, a Chinese- American named Danny was always visited by his cousin Chin–kee yearly. However, the character disliked his relative presence in the US for fear of ruining his reputation. This phrase “I never noticed it before, but your teeth kind of buck out a little” (Yang 124) said by Melanie troubled him. This is because buck teeth emphasized a connection with his family members, having such dentition was a stereotype in America, which he detested. The character wanted to look completely different from his kin because he considered American religion and looks to be superior.
In the gym, the conversation between Danny and Steve showed that his issues to fit into a new society was not only associated with the presence of Chin-Kee. This is because he never informed Steve about his relative misbehavior of peeing into his coke can. Thereafter, when Danny was given a soda container, he responded by saying “What, so I can pee in it?” Instead of being thankful (Yang 128). This story shows that experiences in America had a psychological impact on Danny.
Conclusion
Religious experiences in United States expounded by The American Born Chinese book, which has two major themes of friendship and identity is disheartening, which expounds on contemporary issues faced by immigrants based on myths, fitting in, and cultural ideologies. The narratives show that most of the immigrants are insecure and they have trouble befriending the natives. On the other hand, The Americans feel that their religion and traditions, which are deemed superior have not been fully recognized. The moral of the tale is that we ought to treat people with respect regardless of their background.
Work Cited
Yang, Gene Luen. American Born Chinese. Macmillan, 2006.