Two Kinds Questions on Jing-Mei's Mother
Two Kinds
What is the main conflict in "Two Kinds"?
The main conflict in "Two Kinds" is the struggle between the daughter and her mother, stemming from the mother's aspiration for her daughter to live the American dream. The mother, an Asian...
Two Kinds
Understanding the Problem, Goal, and Central Theme in Amy Tan's "Two Kinds"
In Amy Tan's "Two Kinds," the main goal is for Jing-Mei to become a prodigy, fulfilling her mother's immigrant dream of success in America. The central problem is the clash between Jing-Mei's...
Two Kinds
In "Two Kinds," how does the mother pressure her daughter to change?
In Amy Tan's "Two Kinds," the mother exerts pressure on her daughter, Jing Mei, to change in several ways. She insists Jing Mei watch Shirley Temple films as "training" and even mimics the child...
Two Kinds
What are examples of direct and indirect characterization in "Two Kinds"?
Jing-mei's mother is directly characterized as the story opens and information about her past is provided. She is indirectly characterized after the talent show, highlighting the resolute strength of...
Two Kinds
What adjectives describe Jing Mei, her mother, and Mr. Chong in "Two Kinds"?
Jing-mei is described as stubborn, frustrated, and intelligent. She resists her mother's ambitions for her and struggles with her mother's expectations. Jing-mei's mother is persistent, lonely, and...
Two Kinds
An analysis of Jing-mei's character, her likes and dislikes, the factors shaping her identity, and how Amy Tan...
Jing-mei's character in "Two Kinds" is shaped by her struggle with her mother's high expectations and her own desire for independence. She dislikes her mother's pressure to become a prodigy and the...
Two Kinds
What motivated Jing-Mei's mother to push her to become a prodigy in "Two Kinds"?
Jing-mei's mother escaped Communist China and wants everything for her daughter that she never experienced. She witnesses child prodigies such as Shirley Temple and believes that because she...
Two Kinds
What is a suitable conclusion for the short story "Two Kinds" by Amy Tan?
I think the conclusion to the story actually fits well. The idea that the experience of mother and daughter regarding piano ends in a sort of stalemate is appropriate. Both realize that there...
Two Kinds
The mother's motivation and actions in arranging piano lessons for her daughter in "Two Kinds"
The mother in "Two Kinds" arranges piano lessons for her daughter because she believes in the American Dream and wants her daughter to become a prodigy. Motivated by her own past losses and high...
Two Kinds
Jing-Mei's mother's desires and needs for her in "Two Kinds" from The Joy Luck Club
Jing-Mei's mother desires for her daughter to become a prodigy, reflecting her own aspirations and the high expectations she has for Jing-Mei's success and fulfillment. She believes that with hard...
Two Kinds
Mother-Daughter Relationship in "Two Kinds"
In Amy Tan's "Two Kinds," the mother-daughter conflict between Jing-mei and her mother is driven by differing expectations and stubbornness. Jing-mei's mother, Suyuan, believes in the American dream...
Two Kinds
Who is the antagonist in "Two Kinds"?
The narrator, Jing-mei's, mother is the antagonist of "Two Kinds." It is she who conflicts with Jing-mei, the protagonist, and with whom Jing-mei eventually faces off against in the story's climax.
Two Kinds
What is the tone of the opening paragraph of "Two Kinds"? How should the second paragraph be interpreted? What...
In “Two Kinds,” the opening paragraph has a mixed tone of hope, naiveté, and greed. The first paragraph suggests that the reader interpret the second paragraph with this prior understanding of...
Two Kinds
The relationship and shared personality traits between the mother and daughter in "Two Kinds"
The mother and daughter in "Two Kinds" share stubbornness and determination. The mother is determined for her daughter to succeed, pushing her toward becoming a prodigy. The daughter, however, is...
Two Kinds
What effect does the mother's broken English and Chinese expressions have in "Two Kinds" dialogue?
The mother in Amy Tan's short story "Two Kinds" was born in China, and she speaks English the way an adult who immigrated from China to California would likely speak. For example, while she is...
Two Kinds
What was the purpose of Jing-mei's mother offering her the piano on her 30th birthday in "Two Kinds"?
I think if we look at the story carefully we can see that it actually is a peace offering and a final acceptance on the part of the mother that her daughter has chosen her own way and she cannot...
Two Kinds
Where does humor occur in "Two Kinds"?
The story is heartbreaking in a way, but there is actually a lot of humor in “Two Kinds.
Two Kinds
What is the significance of the twins in Amy Tan's "Two Kinds"?
When the narrator's mother arrives in San Francisco in 1949, she has left behind a life a tragedy in China. Her entire family perished there, including her parents, her first husband, and her twin...
Two Kinds
In "Two Kinds", how does the mother attempt to make her daughter a prodigy?
I think she definitely wants her to be a prodigy, as she is not willing to allow Jing-Mei to be simply the best that she can be. She never settles for less than perfection throughout the...
Two Kinds
What is the significance of this passage from "Two Kinds"?
The significance of the passage is that it shows Jing-mei gaining the upper hand in the battle of wills with her mother. Jing-mei's mother wants her to be a child prodigy and makes her take piano...
Two Kinds
In "Two Kinds", is the daughter as unreasonable as the mother?
Both the mother and daughter are unreasonable in “Two Kinds.” The mother wants her daughter to be something she is not, and the daughter will not give her mother a chance. As an adult, June...
Two Kinds
How do the narrator's assertive actions affect her relationship with her mother in "Two Kinds"?
"Two Kinds" is a story about the relationship between a mother and her daughter. The mother is desperate for the daughter to become a child genius and pushes her too hard and too often to become...
Two Kinds
Why does the mother in "Two Kinds" reproach her daughter?
June (Jing-mei) is not learning a special talent fast enough. Her mother reproaches her for having her own mind, and not being obedient. In “Two Kinds” June recalls a time when her mother...
Two Kinds
What does the piano gift reveal about the mother's character in "Two Kinds"?
I think it shows that Suyuan is apologizing to Jing-mei. The events in "Two Kinds" broke the relationship between mother and daughter. Suyuan pushed Jing-mei so far that Jing-mei wished...
Two Kinds
What reasons, beyond competition with Lindo Jong, might the narrator's mother in "Two Kinds" have for wanting her...
The narrator’s mother is so fixated on making her daughter a prodigy for three reasons: financial security, fame or “face,” and redemption. Initially, Jing-mei’s mother seems to be motivated by...
Two Kinds
In "Two Kinds" by Amy Tan, why does Jing-Mei's mother insist she continue piano after a poor performance?
Jing-mei’s mother wants her to continue playing the piano because if Jing-mei stops, she has won. Her mother wants an obedient daughter. She also has not given up on the idea that her...
Two Kinds
Why did Jing-mei's mother in "Two Kinds" read so many magazines?
Jing-mei's mother reads so many magazines because she is looking for stories about remarkable children. She has decided that Jing-mei is going to be a child prodigy, just like the ones she reads...
Two Kinds
Why is "Two Kinds" an appropriate title for Amy Tan's short story?
The title of this story is very appropriate because it highlights the contrast between Jing-Mei and her mother. On the one hand, Jing-Mei's mother harbors great ambitions for her daughter. She...
Two Kinds
What is the mother's occupation in Two Kinds?
Jing-mei's mother cleans peoples' homes for a living, and she trades her "housecleaning services" for piano lessons and a piano on which Jing-mei can practice.
Two Kinds
Setting's Influence on Plot and Characters in "Two Kinds"
In Amy Tan's "Two Kinds," the setting of San Francisco's Chinatown deeply influences both the plot and character actions. Jing-mei's mother, an immigrant, sees America as a land of endless...
Two Kinds
Jing-mei's mother's decision to leave her babies in China
In Amy Tan's "Two Kinds," Jing-mei's mother was forced to leave her twin baby daughters in China during the Japanese invasion in World War II. She left them out of compassion, stricken with dysentery...
Two Kinds
In "Two Kinds" by Amy Tan, what are the moments of crisis in the story's conflict?
"Two Kinds" is a short story by Amy Tan that tells the story of an angry Chinese-American girl named June. At the beginning of the story, June, who is about twelve years old, is arguing with her...
Two Kinds
How does the mother afford piano lessons in "Two Kinds"?
In “Two Kinds” Jing-mei’s mother trades her house cleaning services for piano lessons with an old, deaf, retired piano teacher. Jing-mei’s mother is convinced that her daughter has what it...
Two Kinds
How did Jing-Mei's mother's beliefs and hopes contribute to her desire for her daughter's success?
The mother's hopes and dreams contributed to her controlling attitude toward her daughter.
Two Kinds
Do you agree with the mother's goals in "Two Kinds" by Amy Tan?
I think above all what is important to realise is the kind of situation that resulted in Jing-Mei's mother pushing her so much. Let us remember that she fled China, and saw America as a land where...
Two Kinds
Mother's Transformation and Lessons in "Two Kinds"
In "Two Kinds," the mother's behavior transitions from hopeful ambition to resignation. Initially, she fervently pushes Jing-mei to discover a talent, inspired by American ideals of limitless...
Two Kinds
What American values do Jing-mei and her mother share in "Two Kinds"?
I would say that both Jing-mei and Suyuan both share the American value of individuality. Especially Jing-mei. Individuality is a dominating American value. It always has been....
Two Kinds
In "Two Kinds," can the mother-daughter relationship be compared to Chinese-American culture and attitudes?
I think there is a definite sense in which we can compare the mother with traditional Chinese values and the daughter, Jing-Mei, with American values and culture. Let us remember that the mother...
Two Kinds
What does "Two Kinds" reveal about the significance of relationships in one's life?
I think one of the key takeaways from this story is that although we sometimes have struggles and conflict within our relationships, it is important to keep working through those moments of...
Two Kinds
In "Two Kinds", what are the advantages and disadvantages offered to the child? How typical is Tan’s story of the...
In the story, the mother offers her daughter the advantage of learning to play the piano. In the mother's opinion, she is also offering her daughter the advantage of living in America, a country...