"Two Kinds" is a

short story A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the oldest ...

from the book '' The Joy Luck Club'' by

Amy Tan Amy Ruth Tan (born on February 19, 1952) is an American author known for the novel '' The Joy Luck Club,'' which was adapted into a film of the same name, as well as other novels, short story collections, and children's books. Tan has written ...

. It was first published in ''

The Atlantic ''The Atlantic'' is an American magazine and multi-platform publisher. It features articles in the fields of politics, foreign affairs, business and the economy, culture and the arts, technology, and science. It was founded in 1857 in Boston, ...

'' in February 1989. The short story outlines the main character Jing-mei (June) Woo's childhood and the effects of her mother's high expectations for her life. In 1993, a

movie A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

based on the book was made.

Character list

* Jing-mei Woo (June) is the

narrator Narration is the use of a written or spoken commentary to convey a story to an audience. Narration is conveyed by a narrator: a specific person, or unspecified literary voice, developed by the creator of the story to deliver information to the a ...

as well as the

protagonist A protagonist () is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward, and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles. If a st ...

. After being pushed by her mother to become a prodigy, she develops a rebellious attitude toward her mother. * Mother is Jing-mei's mother. * Mr. Chong is Jing-mei's piano teacher. He is deaf and has poor eyesight. * Lindo Jong (Auntie Lindo) is Jing-mei's mother's friend. * Waverly Jong is Lindo's daughter. She is a Chinese chess champion and brags about it to Jing-mei. * Uncle Tin is Auntie Lindo's husband and Waverly Jong's father. * Father is Jing-Mei's father

Significance of title

The title "Two Kinds" is referred to by Jing-Mei's mother when she states that there are only two kinds of daughters: “Those who are obedient and those who follow their own mind!” She gives an example of the kind of daughter that she wants Jing-Mei to be, versus the kind that Jing-Mei is being. Jing-Mei herself also refers to the title of the story, but she does this at the end, with a softer tone. She comes to a conclusion by using two different pieces of music, “Pleading Child” and "Perfectly Contented”. These two pieces seem different, until Jing-Mei notices that “...After I had played them both a few times, I realized they were two halves of the same song."

Language

The language in "Two Kinds" varies per character. When Jing-Mei's mother speaks, she uses what is known as broken or fractured English. When Jing-Mei speaks, she uses native English. In turn, this creates a verbal duel between the two. This can be seen when Mother tells Jing-Mei “Who ask you be genius?” Although this question is grammatically incomplete, it shows her confusion over not being able to comprehend her daughter's anger and frustration. The difference in speech between Jing-Mei and her mother also emphasizes that they grew up in different parts of the world: Jing-Mei in America, and her mother in China.

References

{{Amy Tan American short stories Chinese-American literature 1989 short stories Works by Amy Tan Chinatown, San Francisco in fiction