Historical opposition against immigrants prevented complete assimilation whether or not they choose to acknowledge the cultural differences and believe them to be true. There are external influences that affect immigrant’s abilities to do; it is not merely an issue created in the mind. The meaning of social assimilation today is neither precise nor commonly accepted (Henderson 640). There is not one, black-and-white definition as the flow of ideas is interrupted by prejudice, custom, and ignorance (Henderson 644). The methods used to deal with immigration insult, in this case, the pride of Orientals (Henderson 645). Such discrimination against them on grounds of race will only induce hatred (Henderson 646). Another term, "Anglo-conformity,"…show more content… She did not accept the Chinese view of women, which is what motivated her to be the strong, woman she envisioned herself to be; the Woman Warrior. Kingston struggles with fear and envy when she learns about the slave girl that her mother bought; she develops the fear she, too, will be sold to China by her parents (Cheung 116). At the same time, she envies the slave girl and compares herself to her. She does so as a desperate attempt of assessing her own worth. Kingston notices the difference in Brave Orchard’s demeanor when recalling the slave as she observes, "My mother's enthusiasm for me is duller than for the slave girl" (Kingston 96). They discuss the cost of Kingston’s birth in comparison to the purchase of the slave girl in which Brave Orchard was blunt. She goes to the extent of expressing disbelief in how Kingston cost $200 and was not free, unlike she would be in China. This response increases Kingston’s anxiety, but also move her make herself in the image of the warrior that she greatly cherishes (Cheung 146,7). Therefore, to save her self-esteem, Kingston engages in positive images of women like the warrior. At home, she is daily reminded of her kin which only creates self-contempt and resentment. The legend of the Fa Mu Lan serves as an inspiration for her to overcome the belittling ideas toward women (Cheung 144). She is able to seek…show more content… She found her own place within America as both Chinese and American. Her journey of assimilation was not single-conformity, but rather the self-invention of mixed identity. She is not opposed to being American or Chinese; she imagines herself as having multiple associations. By achieving American identity, she is not excluding her family or culture’s traditions Hunsaker 451,2. On the surface, it can be assumed that Kingston is “transplanting Chinese inheritance in the American context.” However, she instead exhibits a departure from both cultures, the traditions in China and the stereotypes in America, and becomes a self-made woman Thus, it is understandable for Kingston to be ashamed of her heritage when she was younger, but as this memoir chronicles, she is able to gain strength from being devalued as a young girl (Cheung 152) Moreover, Kingston begins her memoir with her mother's warning, "You must not tell anyone . . . what I am about to tell you" (Kingston 3). She goes against this warning and reveals the story of her “No-Name” aunt, restoring her legacy. Not only is this another way of Kingston communicating her heritage, but she reclaims a member of her family despite not having once met her aunt. She also credits her mother’s narrative power in telling talk-stories. This act of crediting and reviving exemplifies Kingston’s
