In the graphic novel, American Born Chinese, the two main
characters are at a turning point with their identities. Both characters try to
“fix” themselves and do so by conforming to the dominant culture. At the
beginning of the novel, the Chinese herbalist’s wife issues a warning to the
young Jin Wang, as she says “it’s easy to become anything you wish… So long as
you’re willing to forfeit your soul” (Yang, 29). This warning becomes the moral
of the story as The Monkey King and Jin Wang search to find themselves.
The Monkey King, when denied entrance
to the dinner party because of his appearance, chooses to transform into a more
human version of himself. In doing so, he wears shoes and makes himself
significantly taller. Unfortunately, none of these changes makes the Monkey
King happy, and he spends most of his life trying to prove himself to others,
rather than enjoying himself. Jin Wang, after a lot of bullying and racism from
his classmates, chooses to turn himself into a white American and calls himself
Danny. This act of conforming to the dominant culture and appearance furthers
his denial of his Chinese American identity. Even after Jin Wang becomes Danny,
his true self still haunts him in the form of his annoying cousin Chin-Kee.
Lai-Tsao tells the Monkey King, “return to your true form and you shall be
freed,” and both characters return to their original shape and sizes (Yang,
145). Neither of the characters reaches happiness until they return to their
true forms and accept themselves for who they are.
In
the concluding pages of the novel, it becomes clear to both the characters and
readers that conforming to be something else will not bring happiness. The only
way the characters become happy in the novel is through accepting their identity,
whether as a monkey or a Chinese American boy.
Erilyn, I believe your argument accurately synthesizes the underlying theme of the graphic novel, the importance of being authentic. As you mention in your response, the novel is largely a coming of age story, in which both the Monkey King and Jin struggle with accepting their own identities. For example, Yang reveals the Monkey King’s despair upon being denied entrance to the dinner party with the statement, “The Monkey King was thoroughly embarrassed. He was so embarrassed, in fact, that he almost left without saying a word” (Yang 15). Because of this experience, the Monkey King devotes his time to becoming more humanlike. By the same token, Jin, a Chinese American boy, transforms his appearance into a white American boy, Danny, to escape his life of racism and harassment, as you note in your argument.
ReplyDeleteHowever, these conversions only serve to bring the characters more unhappiness and despair. By renouncing their own identities in the pursuit of conforming to societal norms, they only temporarily postpone the issue of accepting their own selves. However, later in novel, the Monkey King, after his own acceptance of his identity, confronts Jin, claiming, “I would have saved myself from five hundred years’ imprisonment beneath a mountain of rock had I only realized how good it is to be a monkey” (Yang 223). Ultimately, this statement reveals the thematic message of the novel: Contentment is only recognized once a person accepts his or her identity, regardless of what that may be.