Two Kinds

"Two Kinds" is a short story from the book The Joy Luck Club[1] by Amy Tan. It was first published in 1989.[2]

"Two Kinds"
AuthorAmy Tan
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Genre(s)Fiction
Published in1989
Publication typeShort story
PublisherG. P. Putnam's Sons

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.[3] In 1993, a movie based on the book was made.[4]

Character List
  • Jing-mei Woo (June) is the narrator as well as the protagonist. 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 stated that there are only two kinds of daughters: “Those who are obedient and those who follow their own mind!”[5] She gives an example of the kind of daughter that she wants Jing-Mei to be, and 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 and with a lighter tone. She does it by using two different pieces of music, “Pleading Child” and "Perfectly Contented”. These two pieces are different but Jing-Mei says 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 simply just uses English. In return, 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.[6] 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
  1. Tan, Amy. The Joy Luck Club. New York: Penguin, 2006. Print.
  2. Charters, Ann. The Story and Its Writer: an Introduction to Short Fiction. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2011.p.783. ISBN 978-0-312-59624-8
  3. "Amy Tan Biography -- Academy of Achievement." Academy of Achievement Main Menu. Academy of Achievement, 17 June 2010. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <"Amy Tan". Archived from the original on 2008-07-02. Retrieved 2008-07-02.>.
  4. "The Joy Luck Club (1993) - IMDb." The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). The Internet Movie Database. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107282/>.
  5. Tan, Amy. The Joy Luck Club. New York: Penguin, 2006. Print.
  6. Becerra, Cynthia S. “Two Kinds.” Masterplots II: Short Story Series, Revised Edition, Jan. 2004,pp.1–2.EBSCOhost,search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=103331MSS23519620000479&site=eds-live&scope=site.
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