Posted: September 13th, 2017

"Two Kinds”

This week’s reading selections examine issues of heritage, cultural identity, and mother-daughter conflict. In Amy Tan’s “Two Kinds,” the narrator recalls the conflict she experienced as a child with her Chinese immigrant mother. A piano is used to symbolize the conflict that results from the mother’s efforts to realize “the American Dream” by forcing the narrator to become a child prodigy. Although “Two Kinds” was initially published as a short story in the Atlantic, it is actually one of several interrelated stories about mother-daughter relationships in Amy Tan’s book, The Joy Luck Club. After the publication of the book and the release of the movie, Amy Tan was credited with helping to generate interest in Asian-American literature.

“Everyday Use”
The Alice Walker story, “Everyday Use” also explores the dynamics of the mother-daughter conflict. However, in this story, the narrator is an African American mother whose views about cultural identity and heritage differ from those held by her college educated daughter. Walker uses a family quilt to symbolize the conflict and the family’s connection to their past and their ancestors. “Everyday Use” was published in 1973 and is still considered to be one of Walker’s best literary works.

“The Things They Carried”
Tim O’Brien’s short story “The Things They Carried” is actually one of the stories included in the novel of the same name. Many of O’Brien’s readers believe his stories are based on his real life experiences while serving in the military during the Viet Nam War.  The experiences of O’Brien’s protagonist help the reader to understand the connection between the solider and his unit and the dichotomy that exists between love, war, and peace.  O’Brien’s narrative is an example of literary realism as the reader gains an understanding of each character through the things each one carried physically and emotionally throughout the story.

Additional Resources:
“Two Kinds” Analysis
A Conversation with Amy Tan
“Everyday Use” Analysis
“The Things They Carried” Analysis

Textbook Readings
“Two Kinds” pp.1117-1124
“Everyday Use” pp.1125-1131
“The Things They Carried” pp.1249-1260

My Literature Lab Resources
Log on to My Literature Lab
Click Fall 2014 Online ENGL 1102 course link
Click Student Resources
Click Intro to Literature
Click Authors Q-T
Click Amy Tan, “Two Kinds”
Review all available resources and listen to the Longman Lecture
Click Intro to Literature
Click Authors U to Z
Click Alice Walker, “Everyday Use”
Review all available resources and listen to the Longman Lecture
Click Intro to Literature
Click Student Resources
Click Authors
Click Tim O’Brien, “The Things They Carried”
Review all available resources and listen to the Longman Lecture

Discussion Questions: Post an original response of a minimum of 100 words and replies to at least two classmates of a minimum of 50 words each for full credit.

“Two Kinds” Discussion Questions:
Respond to one of the following questions:
1. Have you ever experienced conflict with one of both of your parents? What was the conflict about? What was the outcome?
2. Have you ever felt that you were being forced to be someone you are not? Describe the situation and how you dealt with it.

“Everyday Use” Discussion Questions
Respond to one of the following questions:
3. How have you and your family preserved your heritage? What type of ceremony or tradition has family maintained? Describe.
4. Have you ever held and expressed beliefs that were different from your family’s beliefs? What were they? How did you try to convince your family to think or believe differently? What was the outcome?

Reflection Response: Respond to one of the following prompts:

“Two Kinds”
Compose a response that answers the following question, “In your opinion, what is the significance of the title of the story?” Be sure to include inserted page numbers, identification information, a title that reflects your thesis, an introductory paragraph that includes the author’s name and title of the story, and the thesis as the last sentence of the introductory paragraph. Include at least two additional paragraphs with quotations, paraphrases, and parenthetical citations. In addition, include a separate Works Cited Page.

“Everyday Use”
Create a character sketch of the narrator, Maggie, or Dee. Be sure to include inserted page numbers, identification information, a title that reflects your thesis, an introductory paragraph that includes the author’s name and title of the story, and the thesis as the last sentence of the introductory paragraph. Include at least two additional paragraphs with quotations, paraphrases, and parenthetical citations. In addition, include a separate Works Cited Page.
“The Things They Carried”
Near the end of the story, Lieutenant Cross burns the two photos he has carried with him.  Write a response that examines at least two of his reasons for doing this. Be sure to include inserted page numbers, identification information, a title that reflects your thesis, an introductory paragraph that includes the author’s name and title of the story, and the thesis as the last sentence of the introductory paragraph. Include at least two additional paragraphs with quotations, paraphrases, and parenthetical citations. In addition, include a separate Works Cited Page.

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