Student Question
Why does Kingston tell the forbidden tale in The Woman Warrior?
Quick answer:
Kingston tells the forbidden tale to give a voice to her "no name aunt," who has been banished and ignored by her family. By sharing this story, Kingston aims to acknowledge her aunt's existence and confront the "ghosts" and secrets in her family that hinder her own identity formation. This storytelling is crucial for Kingston's personal development, allowing her to make sense of her identity and growth.
Kingston proceeds to tell the tale about her aunt that she was forbidden to tell because she wants to give a voice to this "no name aunt" that she has. Kingston recognizes that there are many secrets and "ghosts" in her family that prevent her from coming to terms with her own identity. She knows that her aunt has been banished from the family, yet no one will acknowledge her existence. So Kingston tells this possible story to give her aunt an identity.
Further, Kingston continues with the The Woman Warrior to wrestle with her own identity formation. She feels that the story must be told to make it real, and once it is real, she can then begin to come to terms with her personal development and growth.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.