The Effects of an Evolving Relationship in “Two Kinds”
“Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them” (Wilde). Children’s feelings and attitude towards their parents are ever changing. Often times, as children grow older, their relationship with their parents drastically change. This idea of a changing relationship appears in Amy Tan’s short story, “Two Kinds.” In “Two Kinds,” Jing-mei, the protagonist, has a complex, conflicting relationship with her mother, who tries to push Jing-mei to be a prodigious pianist. However, after excessive and constant pressure, Jing-mei rejects and resents her mother’s desire for a gifted, genius daughter. Throughout the story, the narrator’s relationship with her mother changes in multiple ways, causing conflict, as Jing-mei matures and finds her personal identity. In “Two Kinds,” Jing Mei’s feelings towards her …show more content…
In the beginning of the story, Jing-mei struggles with accepting who she is as a person. For instance, the narrator explains, “I began to cry. Such a sad, ugly girl!” (Tan 223). The pressure from Jing-mei’s mother is beginning to shape how Jing-mei thinks of herself. However, as Jing-mei becomes satisfied with her personal identity, her feelings change and develop. Towards the end of the story, Jing-mei explains how she is now content and pleased with her life. Explaining her feelings, the author uses a metaphor of songs titled “Perfectly Contented” and “Pleading Child” to show her new outlook on life and her newly developed feelings towards her mother (Tan 233). Jing-mei explains how although the songs were different in many ways, she “realized they were two halves of the same song” (Tan 233). Although Jing-mei was a “Pleading Child,” she later realizes that her mother had done everything for her, and Jing-mei is now “Perfectly
“Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them” (Wilde). Children’s feelings and attitude towards their parents are ever changing. Often times, as children grow older, their relationship with their parents drastically change. This idea of a changing relationship appears in Amy Tan’s short story, “Two Kinds.” In “Two Kinds,” Jing-mei, the protagonist, has a complex, conflicting relationship with her mother, who tries to push Jing-mei to be a prodigious pianist. However, after excessive and constant pressure, Jing-mei rejects and resents her mother’s desire for a gifted, genius daughter. Throughout the story, the narrator’s relationship with her mother changes in multiple ways, causing conflict, as Jing-mei matures and finds her personal identity. In “Two Kinds,” Jing Mei’s feelings towards her …show more content…
In the beginning of the story, Jing-mei struggles with accepting who she is as a person. For instance, the narrator explains, “I began to cry. Such a sad, ugly girl!” (Tan 223). The pressure from Jing-mei’s mother is beginning to shape how Jing-mei thinks of herself. However, as Jing-mei becomes satisfied with her personal identity, her feelings change and develop. Towards the end of the story, Jing-mei explains how she is now content and pleased with her life. Explaining her feelings, the author uses a metaphor of songs titled “Perfectly Contented” and “Pleading Child” to show her new outlook on life and her newly developed feelings towards her mother (Tan 233). Jing-mei explains how although the songs were different in many ways, she “realized they were two halves of the same song” (Tan 233). Although Jing-mei was a “Pleading Child,” she later realizes that her mother had done everything for her, and Jing-mei is now “Perfectly