Set in a quiet all-American town in Ohio, the novel “ Everything I Never Told You” tells a tragic story about a mixed-race Chinese and white family. At the very beginning of the novel, what is presented to the readers is: the dead boy of the missing girl is dragged out of the lake (Chee, 2015). The missing girl, whose name is Lydia Lee, is the favorite girl of her parents. Lydia’s father, a talented child of Chinese immigrants, is dedicated to become a university professor and finally makes it. Lydia’ mother, an American lady, yearns to be different from her housewife mother and to become a doctor. These two people coming from different cultural backgrounds fall in love with each other, giving birth to three lovely children (Chee, 2015). Although
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Although the Chinese have immigrated to America for over 150 years, the past years have witnessed the prejudice suffered by Chinese and approaches adopted by the Chinese to get recognized in America (Wong, 2005). Many Chinese Americans are depicted as those doing laundry or holding plates in China Towns. They get lower pays, and also face hostility of the white citizens (Chinese Americans, 2015). However, with time going by, the Chinese are gaining better education and better pay. Despite the improvement of social and economic status, the issue of racism still exists among the Chinese Americans. Aware of this issue, the Chinese Americans, especially the second generation, spare no efforts to be really accepted by the society. Based on the success achieved by the Chinese Americans, they are regarded as “model minority” (Dugger, 1992). Just like the protagonist of the novel “Everything I Never Told You”, James makes every effort to edge in the American society, passing down his ambition to his beloved daughter. All James has done and anticipated is just for the sake of becoming the real American citizens (Lawson, 2014). The urge is so strong that he neglects the feelings of his children in the all American
Although the Chinese have immigrated to America for over 150 years, the past years have witnessed the prejudice suffered by Chinese and approaches adopted by the Chinese to get recognized in America (Wong, 2005). Many Chinese Americans are depicted as those doing laundry or holding plates in China Towns. They get lower pays, and also face hostility of the white citizens (Chinese Americans, 2015). However, with time going by, the Chinese are gaining better education and better pay. Despite the improvement of social and economic status, the issue of racism still exists among the Chinese Americans. Aware of this issue, the Chinese Americans, especially the second generation, spare no efforts to be really accepted by the society. Based on the success achieved by the Chinese Americans, they are regarded as “model minority” (Dugger, 1992). Just like the protagonist of the novel “Everything I Never Told You”, James makes every effort to edge in the American society, passing down his ambition to his beloved daughter. All James has done and anticipated is just for the sake of becoming the real American citizens (Lawson, 2014). The urge is so strong that he neglects the feelings of his children in the all American