The Woman Warrior, Maxine Hong Kingston - 1722 Words

In The Woman Warrior, Maxine Hong Kingston crafts a fictitious memoir of her girlhood among ghosts. The book’s classification as a memoir incited significant debate, and the authenticity of her representation of Chinese American culture was contested by Asian American scholars and authors. The Woman Warrior is ingenuitive in its manipulation of the autobiographical genre. Kingston integrates the value of storytelling in her memoir and relates it to dominant themes about silence, cultural authenticity, and the cultivation of identity. Throughout her work, Kingston reaches a variety of conclusions about the stories her mother told her by writing interpretations of her mother, Brave Orchid’s, â€Å"talk-story†. Brave Orchid’s talk-story is a form†¦show more content†¦She considers that â€Å"some man had commanded her to lie with him and be his secret evil.† (Kingston 6). Kingston writes her initial version of the â€Å"No Name Woman,† who was raped, raided, and died an outcast, but Kingston determines that this telling does not fit her understanding of China. Therefore, Kingston entertains another hypothetical, that her aunt took a lover and saved him from shame by giving â€Å"silent birth† and not revealing the lover’s identity (Kingston 11). Here, Kingston critically examines the inherited talk-story of her mother to determine the meaning she should obtain from the death of her aunt. Her mother’s conclusion is that she must not become pregnant, but Kingston is uncertain about the simplicity of her mother’s story. In the â€Å"No Name Woman,† Kingston introduces the fictitious memoir structure that she utilizes through the variety of interpretations of her aunt’s story. Consistently through the memoir, Kingston writes contrasting accounts of the same stories and imagines the stories of others to further her themes about silence, authenticity, and identity formation. Kingston begins The Woman Warrior by writing a story which started with her mother insisting that she â€Å"must not tell anyone...what I am about to tell you.† (Kingston 3). Kingston’s first written words are a defiance of this silencing. Silence is a motif that permeates the entirety of The Woman Warrior; KingstonShow MoreRelatedThe Woman Warrior By Maxine Hong Kingston Essay1557 Words   |  7 PagesProfessor Richard Potter ENC 1939 16 November 2016 The Woman Warrior Language is a system of communication used by humans either written or spoken to communicate our thoughts and feelings. Our thoughts and feelings we want to communicate to our loved ones, to our friends, to people we work with or go to school with and even to strangers. Maxine Hong Kingston in her memoir The Woman Warrior explores language and the use of language to express what Kingston finds as several conflicts. The conflict of theRead MoreThe Woman Warrior, By Maxine Hong Kingston1434 Words   |  6 PagesThere is great plasticity in the self perception and identity of immigrants and even more so in their offspring. The memoir, The Woman Warrior, by Maxine Hong Kingston, does a good job in highlighting this statement. Her memoir shows the struggle of the older generation to adapt to American culture after migrating, it shows how the second generation comes to terms with their dual identity, and how their unique perceptions emphasize the gap between the two generations. Thesis tying identity crisisRead MoreThe Woman Warrior, By Maxine Hong Kingston1342 Words   |  6 Pagesand struggle to live the â€Å"American Dream†. Thousands of people come to the U.S. to live a better life for their family. Instead they face racial seclusion, struggle to survive, and consequences of American’s fear. In the memoir, The Woman Warrior, by Maxine Hong Kingston, a girl who discloses stories about Chinese myths, families, and events in the U.S. that has shaped her identity. In the historical fiction novel, When the Emperor was Divine, by Julie Otsuka, is about a Japanese American family sentRead MoreThe Woman Warrior By Maxine Hong Kingston1866 Words   |  8 PagesThroughout the novel The Woman Warrior, by Maxine Hong Kingston, the past is incorporated into the present through talk-stories combined into each chapter. Kingston uses talk-stories, to examine the intermingling of Chinese myths and lived experiences. These stories influence the life of the nar rator as the past is constantly spoken about from the time she is young until the novel ends and she becomes an adult. Kingston incorporates two cultures. She is not a direct recipient of Chinese culture,Read MoreThe Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston Essay1208 Words   |  5 PagesIn the novel The Woman Warrior Maxine Hong Kingston uses ghosts to represent a battle between American and Chinese cultures. The two cultures have different views of what a ghost is. The Chinese believe the ghost spirits may be of people dead or alive. Chinese culture recognizes foreigners and unfamiliar people as ghosts because, like American ghosts, they are mysterious creatures of the unknown. Americans view ghosts as spirits of the dead that either help or haunt people. American ghosts mayRead MoreSummary Of The Woman Warrior By Maxine Hong Kingston1356 Words   |  6 PagesSubjugation of Women in â€Å"No Name Woman† The Story â€Å"Woman Warrior† written by Maxine Hong Kingston in 1975, is a great representation of what woman are characterized as in regards to being submissive or rebellious in their society, and how, even though they are harshly treated, the women fight back instead of letting themselves be subjugated, it exemplifies the hardships women face in their lives. In The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts, Author Maxine Hong Kingston brings to the table a bunchRead MoreEssay on The Woman Warrior, by Maxine Hong Kingston1033 Words   |  5 PagesThe theme of â€Å"voiceless woman† throughout the book â€Å"the woman warrior† is of great importance. Maxine Kingston narrates several stories in which gives clear examples on how woman in her family are diminished and silenced by Chinese culture. The author not only provides a voice for herself but also for other women in her family and in her community that did not had the opportunity to speak out and tell their stories. The author starts the book with the story of her aunt. This story was a well-keptRead MoreAnalysis Of Maxine Hong Kingston s The Woman Warrior 1547 Words   |  7 PagesKejsi Drenova Paper 2 In The Woman Warrior, Maxine Hong Kingston makes her narration compelling and relatable to the audience through her unique style of storytelling. The ever-present changes in perspective lead one to see how each event eventually affects Kingston. Her comparison of her life to that of Fa Mu Lan brings out the difficulties in her living in America while her mother had grown up in China. This hero myth allows her to connect to those values that Brave Orchid holds which make herRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem The Woman Warrior By Maxine Hong Kingston Essay1936 Words   |  8 PagesThe Unescapable Net: Tradition vs Transformation in Kingston’s Ideology The Woman Warrior, written by Chinese American author Maxine Hong Kingston in 1976, blends traditional Chinese folktales and memoir, and portrays the early 20th century Chinese history in a Chinese-American perspective. For Maxine, it seems Chinese â€Å"history† means social and cultural constrains from conventional Chinese doctrines, especially regarding the social status of womanhood, the blind collectivism, and superstition inRead More Maxine Hong Kingston Understanding Her Life through The Woman Warrior1166 Words   |  5 PagesMaxine Hong Kingston Understanding Her Life through The Woman Warrior Maxine Hong Kingston’s â€Å"The Woman Warrior† is novel composed of myths and memoirs that have shaped her life. Her mother’s talk-stories about her no name aunt, her own interpretation of Fa Mu Lan, the stories of ghosts in doom rooms and American culture have been the basis of her learning. She learned morals, truths, and principals that would be the basis of her individuality. Since her mothers talk-story was one of the

Personal Statement On Ethics And Ethics - 1395 Words

Introduction: Over the course of my lifetime, I have faced many ethical dilemmas. The way that I handled these situations has defined my current personal beliefs and how rationally I now behave when faced with tough decisions. Within this paper, I aim to provide real life examples and everyday situations where I have been confronted with decisions that determine how ethically sound I am. I will explore my perspective on ethics and how vital a role they play in my decision making process. Overall, I hope to demonstrate how ethics has been a factor throughout my personal, career, and societal experiences. Personal: Ethics refers to the guidelines based on a moral system that everyone uses to make decisions. While it is†¦show more content†¦This would ensure him no consequences and a smooth transition to the starting lineup for the season. He was my best friend and I would do anything for him. However, I knew that it was morally wrong for me to lie to our trainer about his score. Not only would it have made him look bad, it would have taken away from my good reputation and made me appear untrustworthy. I could have lied and no one would have ever found out but I knew that over the long run that feeling of guilt would eventually have settled in. I decided to do what was right during this ethical dilemma and report his score honestly. Unfortunately for my friend, he had to face some consequences for not passing. However, it paid off for him, as our coach did not hold him to physical standards that he was incapable of. I consider myself to be a rational person that does not let m y emotions get the best of me. I like to have a realistic perspective and a long-term view on decisions. I believe that having the ability to make the proper choice, even when it does not fit the interests of one of your companions is very important. Career: The reputation and success of companies thrives on how ethically sound employees, executives and CEOs are. Currently, I work as a Student IT Consultant at the Penn State IT Service Desk. Within the workplace, demonstrating honesty and integrity is stronglyShow MoreRelatedPersonal Statement : Ethics And Ethics931 Words   |  4 Pagesasked to reflect on what ethics means to me. Not only in my personal life but also in a work setting, and in our society. During our reflection I am asked to give multiple personal examples to support my meaning of ethics. Lastly I will connect the three questions together with a conclusion that I hope will help a reader understand the subject of ethics. Personal: Ethics to me is a value system that each individual upholds due to their own conscience. I believe ethics can be different for eachRead MorePersonal Ethic Statement602 Words   |  3 Pagesmy actions are good for the community as a whole. †¢ How do personal ethics play a role in academics? How might they play a role in the workplace? Personal ethics play a role in academics by setting an atmosphere of truthfulness and trust. This help to ensure every decision we make is one that upholds values. They are the decision that make and must continue to lure of the easy way out, by making ourselves better. Personal ethics also play a role in workplace by keeping our work or ideas originalRead MorePersonal Ethics Statement680 Words   |  3 Pagesassignments in a timely manner before any deadlines. There are many events that go on each day, work, school, and other personal duties, and each takes their time. Everything in this scenario comes down to time management, personal responsibility and integrity. In this scenario, I failed my group and myself by making excuses for why I was unable to do my part. I should have taken my personal time, found other resources and completed my part of this assignment so I was not taking credit for the work of othersRead MorePersonal Statement For Making A Personal Ethics Statement229 6 Words   |  10 PagesIn order to develop a personal ethics statement for Simply Special, I need to discover what it is that I want to accomplish within this organization. Through the process of discovering those potential accomplishments, I must be realistic and consider the pros and cons. As I have learned it takes dedication, determination, and will to reach ethical goals and statements for Simply Special to succeed. In addition to taking pride for our work, we want to stand behind our productions with enthusiasm,Read MorePersonal Statement On Personal Ethic1496 Words   |  6 PagesPersonal Ethic Throughout my life so far I have been influenced by many people and events which has made me into what I am today. Retrieving information from past events that I have experienced will give insight into what I personally value and how I make decisions whether it is an ethical dilemma or not. I wouldn’t say that all my decisions were based on good moral qualities, but that is what being human is all about. Learning from past experiences whether they are good or not will make me a betterRead MoreEssay on Personal Ethics Statement717 Words   |  3 PagesRunning head: Personal Ethics Statement Personal Ethics Statement My personal code of ethics is Equality and Sensibility. I believe in a predictable system that assures the well-being of all, especially those without power, is a just system. As a wife, mother, nurse and a member of a community, I strive to do the best I can in every aspect of my life. As a mother, I strive to be a good role model to my children and teach them the fundamentals of life. I strive to be able to give a solidRead MoreEssay Personal Ethics Statement619 Words   |  3 PagesMy Personal Ethics Statement My personal ethics have been formed through family influence, religious beliefs, life experiences, my internal reflection and the culture in which I was raised. Family instilled a strong work ethic in me as a child. My parents never missed a day of work. I was taught that if you want something, you must work for it. According to my ethical lens inventory, this supports my classical value of temperance. I seek to satisfy my duties. My strong desire to succeedRead MorePersonal Ethics Statement Essay599 Words   |  3 PagesPersonal code of ethics Guido describes ethics as â€Å"a process of determining right conduct from wrong† (para 2, p. 3). My personal view of ethics is along the same lines as this and has been instilled in me my entire life. My code of ethics includes respect for myself and others; honesty in my endeavors, graciousness in both my personal and professional lives, and accountable for my actions. I use nonmaleficence and beneficence in every aspect of my life. I also strive to honor the proverbialRead MoreMy Personal Mission Of Leadership And Ethics Statement Essay976 Words   |  4 PagesMy Personal Mission of Leadership and Ethics Statement Life s a journey of learning experiences. In my journey through life I intend to have thriving carrier serving my country in the Canadian Armed Forces while balancing a healthy life at home. I will make it a life long commitment to grow through active participation in the world around me in order to gain knowledge and skills essential to lead. Therefore empowering me to be the change I wish to see in the world with the aptitude to evaluateRead MorePersonal Statement : Servant Leadership, Ethics, And Entrepreneurship806 Words   |  4 Pagesleadership, ethics, and entrepreneurship. Next, I describe my vision for my career once I have completed the Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Health Systems Management degree. In addition, I address the impact that completing this degree will have on meeting the greater social good and within the community. Lastly, I explain how the pillars relate to the Christian mission of Grand Canyon University. Healthcare management that utilizes servant leadership, ethics and entrepreneurship

Democracy in America Free Essays

The Formation of American Identity Morgan Hersha IAH 201 Professor Emily Conroy-Krutz February 21, 2013 Americans pride themselves on their nation and its achievements, but most of all, their freedom. â€Å"Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom. † It is a blessing to live under such a great constitution and we as citizens should be knowledgeable about where, when, and how it all it began. We will write a custom essay sample on Democracy in America or any similar topic only for you Order Now People are who they are because of the experiences that they have been through throughout their life. This is the same case for America. The United States has formed its identity through experiences, both good and bad. After a long history of both conflict and peace, the United States formed as a union influenced both by European cultures and Native American culture. It all started when Christopher Columbus set sail and him along with the Europeans colonized to America. The Europeans brought their culture and ideas with them. We Americans just like any culture like to pass on our traditions to the generations to come. The things that I have learned in this class have tied into things today, or at least their origin. The shared history and culture that was developed is still evolving today. During the colonial and revolutionary periods of American history, Native Americans, wars, and European culture all impacted what it meant to be American, and its identity. Native Americans contributed to American identity tremendously. Early American settlers developed many skills that they learned from the Native Americans such as agriculture, language, and even governmental structure. Without the Native Americans it would have been difficult for colonists to be successful and survive. The colonists played a role like a tourist, and the Native Americans acted as guides. Native Americans depended on trade, and they shared this strategy with the colonists. Europeans would send things such as fur in return for things such as guns and salt. The French trading company was set up. It was thought the Native Americans receive civilization and Christianity, while the Europeans receive labor and land. This was obviously extremely unfair and the colonists were highly upset over this. The colonists were practically raised by the Native Americans, but once they were able to stand on their own two feet, they took a stand to the Native Americans due to their frustration. During the colonial times of America, multiple wars took place in order to get rid, or displace the Native Americans. During this time the Native Americans were treated horribly. It was their homeland and it was being taken from them, and some were even taken in as slaves. The colonists started to build on the Connecticut River Valley, but the only thing stopping them was the Pequots. At this time is when the colonists and Native Americans decide to unite against the Pequots, starting the Pequot War in 1637. The English set fire to a fort, which burned down the whole thing leaving about 5 survivors. The English believe that their easy victory meant that God was on their side. The English wanted to adopt the women and children and bring them into their own tribes and convert them into Christianity. The Wampanoag Indians did not want to live by the moral code of the Puritans. Massasoit was chief of the Wampanoag, he then died and Wamsuette took over which is when things began to fall apart. The sudden death of Wamsuetta was believed to be the cause the King Phillips war in 1975-1976, said to be the bloodiest war in history. During this war 5,000 Native people did, and Phillip retreated home. Many people argue over the justification of taking the land of the Native America. â€Å"It was a solemn sight to see so many Christians lying in their blood, some here and some there, like a company of sheep torn by wolves. Some say that the colonists came there to express their religion and gain wealth, while others see the colonists as cruel and unfair people. Today Native Americans, or Indians, have been given reservations, or land in order to repay them for what had been taken from them. There is much controversy on what else the Indians receive, but the United States is putting in some effort to justify what they had done. What is warfare? According to Websterà ¢â‚¬â„¢s Dictionary, warfare is the process of military struggle between two nations or groups of nations. Warfare is a part of just about every nation’s history. What influenced the American Revolution? There were a series of events that impacted the way Americans thought and gave them courage to rebel. The Haitian Revolution put thoughts in the Americans head to become free when the slaves rebelled and took Haiti from the French. By 1770’s about 1/5 of the British Empire was made up of Americans. The Sugar Act and Stamp Act were both two occurrences that made the colonists extremely angry, and after mass rioting the act was repealed. Britain came up with the Townshend Act, which placed import on glass, paint, paper, lead and tea. To enforce the act the British would use blank search warrants and search any building for any reason. The colonists became very upset and scared. As a result of this there were many outbreaks, which led up to the Boston Massacre. With many civilians being killed during the Boston Massacre, this is when the people start to realize that Americans need to be independent. The Americans start to make homespun clothes and homemade food and tea, which starts to bring patriotism, which makes it easy to put together a military. The French come to aid of the Americans by providing cash to help defeat the British. The American Revolution had major impacts. Examples of these impacts include things such as independent states with a centralized government, decentralized colonies to independent states with a central government, formation of a constitution, and separation of church and state, and the restriction of slavery. This American Revolution plays a very crucial role in who we are as Americans today. The last major impact on American identity is the influence that the British had on the Americans. The United States continues to be dependent on the British for culture and other things showing that America as a nation still followed Britain. Manufacturing has not yet been developed so the Americans are still depending on England to get their goods. America starts to take off when Jedidah Mose, a minister from Connecticut, creates an American geography for classroom use. The Europeans eventually do not have local knowledge about America and start asking for information. Goods start being carried on American ships, which is a symbolic change as a new point in history of the US. America is a land of wonders, in which everything is in constant motion and every change seems an improvement. † The point when Americans are seen as free and equal is when the Empress of China, the first US ship to go to China, sets sail. On that same day a ship leaves from New York to go to London, to pronounce peace terms. These actions are not being done by the government, but by merchants, althou gh the people see it as a national action. Americans can now enjoy buying things on their own terms. Americans continue to judge themselves as British, and the English do not respect them. Americans are very eager to always read British reports that are talking about America, and they are very sensitive to this. Americans need to cut ties with British if they want to have their own identity. Between the dates 1810-1830 America shifts between being dependent on the British, and being independent. Native Americans, warfare, and European culture have all been major factors that formed the American identity, and who we are today. Some of our values and trends may have changed throughout the years, but we still hold onto the roots of our culture. It is a blessing to live with freedom, and sometimes people take that for granted. Today, we are just born into the US and we are granted these freedoms, but in the colonial times, they had to fight for it. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. Tocqueville, Alexis D. Democracy in America. N. p. : Penguin Group, 2003. Print. [ 2 ]. Krutz, E. Conroy. â€Å"American Empires, Colonies. † Lecture. Michigan State University. January 10, 2013. [ 3 ]. Krutz, E. Conroy. â€Å"American Empires, Colonies. † Lecture. Michigan State University. January 10, 2013. [ 4 ]. Krutz, E. Conroy. â€Å"Indian Wars and Captivity. † Lecture. Michigan State University. January 15, 2013. [ 5 ]. Krutz, E. Conroy. â€Å"Indian Wars and Captivity. † Lecture. Michigan State University. January 15, 2013. [ 6 ]. Krutz, E. Conroy. â€Å"Indian Wars and Captivity. † Lecture. Michigan State University. January 15, 2013. [ 7 ]. Rowlandson, Mary. The Sovereignty and Goodness of God. N. p. : n. p. , 1682. Print. [ 8 ]. Krutz, E. Conroy. â€Å"French Revolution. † Lecture. Michigan State University. January 15, 2013. [ 9 ]. Krutz, E. Conroy. â€Å"French Revolution. † Lecture. Michigan State University. January 15, 2013. [ 10 ]. Krutz, E. Conroy. â€Å"Tourism, Commerce, and American Identity. †Lecture. Michigan State University. January 15, 2013. [ 11 ]. Krutz, E. Conroy. â€Å"Tourism, Commerce, and American Identity. †Lecture. Michigan State University. January 15, 2013. [ 12 ]. Tocqueville, Alexis D. Democracy in America. N. p. : Penguin Group, 2003. Print. [ 13 ]. Krutz, E. Conroy. â€Å"Tourism, Commerce, and American Identity. †Lecture. Michigan State University. January 15, 2013. How to cite Democracy in America, Essay examples