In contrast, to Coetzee’s depiction of motherhood, Lee presents both a more stereotypical idealized version of motherhood as well as the quintessential evil stepmother to raise his main character. Kai’s biological mother struggles with leaving war-torn Shanghai; giving up all she owned while facing a rough journey, alone with her daughters, to India prior to immigrating to America. Mah-mee is depicted as strong, caring and nurturing, especially towards her youngest and only son, Kai. As doting as the typical Mother’s Day card suggests all mothers ought to be, she even accepts Kai’s comic book reading by suggesting it will help him read music someday. (Lee 37) As the first son, Kai is cherished and over protected more than his siblings and Mah-mee
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When he asked her, “You sick Mah-mee? [she responded with] No!” (Lee 50) “Things just happened. First I was told she was visiting friends.” (Lee 49) Next, Kai “was sent to stay with another family for a month.” (Lee 50) He was never allowed to say good-bye to his mother before being sent away, to Chinatown, (as tradition dictated) “to protect him from the shock of [his mom’s] death.” Unable to properly perform rituals of mourning, because there were no elderly women to advise them, his sister’s were uncertain of how to deal with Kai’s questions. Therefore, they wrote letters to him (pretending as if their mother was visiting China) and signed them, “I love you My Only Son, Mother.” (Lee 53) Yet, Kai wondered why she wouldn’t have taken him with as well as why his father didn’t also receive letters. Thus, Kai’s world of safety and comfort is inexplicably turned upside down as he feels confused, abandoned and desire for …show more content…
During the fight, he recalls instructions and stays the course; allowing the pain to pass through. Eventually, Kai is able to “open hostilities” and manages to beat up Willie Mach. In the end, Kai rejoiced that he was able to inflict pain upon Big Willie and earn respect from others, as well as himself. Afterward, he states “I have the power of an oppressed minority” and says “Tsou gou wan ba dan.” (Lee 322) Finally, when Edna refuses to let him in, he puts up his dukes and says, “You not my Mah-mee. . . . I ain’t fo’ yo’ pickin-on no mo’!” [sic.] (Lee 322)
Throughout China Boy Kai transitions from being the favorite child, smothered with love and protection - to being resented, abused and thrown into a violent world without any protection. His biological mom represents loving protection, strength and admiration whereas his stepmother is the
When he asked her, “You sick Mah-mee? [she responded with] No!” (Lee 50) “Things just happened. First I was told she was visiting friends.” (Lee 49) Next, Kai “was sent to stay with another family for a month.” (Lee 50) He was never allowed to say good-bye to his mother before being sent away, to Chinatown, (as tradition dictated) “to protect him from the shock of [his mom’s] death.” Unable to properly perform rituals of mourning, because there were no elderly women to advise them, his sister’s were uncertain of how to deal with Kai’s questions. Therefore, they wrote letters to him (pretending as if their mother was visiting China) and signed them, “I love you My Only Son, Mother.” (Lee 53) Yet, Kai wondered why she wouldn’t have taken him with as well as why his father didn’t also receive letters. Thus, Kai’s world of safety and comfort is inexplicably turned upside down as he feels confused, abandoned and desire for …show more content…
During the fight, he recalls instructions and stays the course; allowing the pain to pass through. Eventually, Kai is able to “open hostilities” and manages to beat up Willie Mach. In the end, Kai rejoiced that he was able to inflict pain upon Big Willie and earn respect from others, as well as himself. Afterward, he states “I have the power of an oppressed minority” and says “Tsou gou wan ba dan.” (Lee 322) Finally, when Edna refuses to let him in, he puts up his dukes and says, “You not my Mah-mee. . . . I ain’t fo’ yo’ pickin-on no mo’!” [sic.] (Lee 322)
Throughout China Boy Kai transitions from being the favorite child, smothered with love and protection - to being resented, abused and thrown into a violent world without any protection. His biological mom represents loving protection, strength and admiration whereas his stepmother is the