In "An Indian Fathers Plea" by Robert Lake (Medicine Grizzlybear), An Elementary school teacher and a Native American father clash between their opposite perspectives on education. Wind-Wolf has been labeled as a "slow learner" …show more content…
Jing-Mei's mother aspires for her daughter to become a child prodigy, Jing-Mei's mother stays with her traditional Chinese culture while Jing-Mei is born into the average American culture, the practice of two different cultures in one home caused conflict between the mother and daughter. At a young age her mother forced different types of prodigy's until she found the right subject, or so she thinks. In the beginning Jing-Mei actually enjoyed the thought of being a prodigy until the constant disappointment she brought onto her mother. She hated the hopes and high expectations her mother had for her, Jing-Mei looked in the mirror with disgust saying "such a sad, ugly girl!" (Tan 14) Until she saw the prodigy side of her, "I looked at my reflection, blinking so that I could see more clearly. The girl staring back at me was angry, powerful. She and I were the same." (Tan 15). From then on Jing-Mei listlessly preformed and practiced. As a result, Jing-Meis mother wanted her to be a prodigy so bad that she falsely bragged about Jing-Meis capabilities. "Our problem worser than yours. If we ask Jing-Mei wash dish, she hear nothing but music. It's like you can't stop this natural talent." (Tan 43) At that point Jing-Mei was determined to put a stop to her foolish pride. Jing-Mei continued to go to the piano lessons until one day she decided to ignore her mother and not go. Not only did her mother find that disrespectful but she found it extremely disobedient for example, "Only two kinds of daughters," she shouted in Chinese. "Those who are obedient and those who follow their own mind! Only one kind of daughter can live in this house. Obedient daughter" (Tan 67). Comparatively Marcella went through the same situation, her Grandma wanted her to be a boy. She had forced her to play stereotypical male sports, cut her hair, and wear