People from all around the world come to America looking for freedom, wealth, and happiness. They leave behind their families and culture in order to start a new life for themselves and their children. Caroline Hwang was raised by Korean parents in America. Hwang lived the American dream until one day she went into a dry-cleaning store. Another Korean woman had asked for her name, when she pronounced it as “Hwang” instead of “Fxuang”, the woman burst into laughter. This is when Hwang began to feel uneasy about her true identity. Many children born of immigrant parents share the same struggle, yet it is a situation no one seems to speak about. Caroline Hwang, author of the article “The Good Daughter,” successfully demonstrates to her audience
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From what we know, as the audience, she did not have a rough childhood or get bullied for being Korean. Many people, especially at a young age, question themselves and their talents which could relate to Hwang’s feelings about meeting her parent’s expectations while trying to fulfill her own goals. Therefore, some might feel as if she is being ungrateful; however, being forced into an unwanted life-style blocks a person’s ability to find happiness. “The Good Daughter” is primarily focused on how being split between two cultures can take over a person’s …show more content…
In Hispanic culture there is a phrase that says “ni de aquí ni de allá” which translates exactly to “neither from here nor there”. This refers to not having a sense of belonging from neither America nor the foreign country your parents originate from (in this case Korea). When Hwang would be around her friends she felt the difference between her race and theirs. Within other Koreans, she felt intimidated by her own lack of traditional qualities and common knowledge. Hwang even begins to question whether her life could of been easier and more pleasant if her parents would have stayed in Korea. However, she is not considering the fact that her parents left Korea for a reason. They came to America to find peace and tranquility for themselves and their children, so even if Hwang would of had a true sense of belonging, there would be a good chance she would still not feel satisfied with the true Korean lifestyle and would of possibly left
From what we know, as the audience, she did not have a rough childhood or get bullied for being Korean. Many people, especially at a young age, question themselves and their talents which could relate to Hwang’s feelings about meeting her parent’s expectations while trying to fulfill her own goals. Therefore, some might feel as if she is being ungrateful; however, being forced into an unwanted life-style blocks a person’s ability to find happiness. “The Good Daughter” is primarily focused on how being split between two cultures can take over a person’s …show more content…
In Hispanic culture there is a phrase that says “ni de aquí ni de allá” which translates exactly to “neither from here nor there”. This refers to not having a sense of belonging from neither America nor the foreign country your parents originate from (in this case Korea). When Hwang would be around her friends she felt the difference between her race and theirs. Within other Koreans, she felt intimidated by her own lack of traditional qualities and common knowledge. Hwang even begins to question whether her life could of been easier and more pleasant if her parents would have stayed in Korea. However, she is not considering the fact that her parents left Korea for a reason. They came to America to find peace and tranquility for themselves and their children, so even if Hwang would of had a true sense of belonging, there would be a good chance she would still not feel satisfied with the true Korean lifestyle and would of possibly left