Please read the final four pieces of writings (non-fiction narratives) in the Class Reader–two biographies and two autobiographies.
And write a critique on these works:
a. What are Maxine H. Kingston’s creative intents in the narratives “No Name Woman” and “Grandfather of the Sierra Mountains”? (for the grandfather piece, for example, why does Kingston use the most impressive part of Chinese American history–building the Transcontinental Railroad–and portray the grandfather as a “nut case” with deviant behavior?
b. On the two autobiographies–a man with a family in California and the other a single man in New York City–what are their significance for us to understand Chinese America before the Civil Right movement of the 1960s?
Due: May 13 (Wednesday) by 4 pm
Answer preview
Based on Leung’s story, his life was challenging, as a bachelor in American’s society, yet he had a family back in China (Leung, 214). Having been brought up in a well off family, Leung did not know how to manage his finances well, and he ended up gambling the little he got. On the other hand, Yuen was from a poor background of peasants; however, this did not deter his ambition of being successful. With the immigration amendment of Chinese Americans, Yuen managed to bring his wife to America despite being at risk of being deported (Yuen, 225). It was, therefore, easy for Yuen to look after his family at close range. With time the wife engaged in business practices like making wine, which helped in supporting the family.
