Fifth Chinese Daughter Analysis

Jade Snow Wong’s Fifth Chinese Daughter outlines the cultural struggles the author faced as a Chinese-American. Born in America, yet raised Chinese, Wong began to form her identity in the middle of this cultural clash. On one hand, Wong witnessed the promotion of individuality from American families, on the other her family taught her individuality is less important than the family as a whole. Various cultural factors pushed and pulled Wong throughout her life – some she embraced, some she fought – which allowed her to form her own unique Chinese-American identity. The Wongs, though they adopted Christianity and did not practice foot-binding, were not Chinese-Americans – they were Chinese living in America. Wong was raised Chinese from birth …show more content…
Without the constant pressure of Chinese tradition overhead, humor and affection replaced the constant need to pay respect; thus “living became fun.” Life was no longer about respecting tradition or family honor, instead Wong was able to shape her own life by experimenting with courses, extracurricular activities (e.g. pottery), and new friends. Although she experienced American culture in an uninhibited setting, Wong refused to abandon her familial culture, “No matter how critical [Jade Snow] was of [her parents], she could not discard all they stood for and accept as a substitute the philosophy of the foreigners.” At her core, she was Chinese, exposure to American culture did not usurp her heritage - it simply modified it. Thus, Wong became a Chinese-American - able to see the world through two sets of eyes. Wong was able to just as comfortably obediently perform housework as a Chinese daughter as she was opening her own business. In adulthood, she was able to live in and respect both cultures comfortably. No longer did she feel entrapped by Chinese culture – instead she saw it was the base of her identity, upon which American ideals were also