simplistic interpretation of a very limited number of works. The claims I will make in
the following are all based on my personal observations of the works in question.
Since this is supposed to be a rather brief term paper, I will not be able to prevent myself
from essentializing the people I talk about. When I speak of Americans or whites, I do
not, at any rate, mean everyone living in America whose skin is white but everyone who
has bought into the media’s portrayal of Chinese Americans and the stereotypes existing
in America, in other words, everyone believing in a white supremacist ideology. Likewise,
when I speak of Chinese Americans, I do not mean all Chinese Americans reunited but a
certain part of the Chinese American population who will react in the way I describe. All
this does not take into consideration the more and more complex composition of
Chinese America.
Some of what I will claim applies to other minorities, as well, especially to other groups
of Asian heritage that have united with Chinese Americans under the umbrella term
“Asian Americans.” This term, coined by the late Japanese American scholar Yuji
Ichioka, homogenizes various groups of different Asian descent and does not take into
account their respective historical, cultural, political or other background. They have
united in order to fight for certain clearly defined political issues that concern all of
them, such as anti-Asian violence, racism, etc. White supremacists are probably
unaware of this political coalition anyways, due to their racist view that all Asians are
alike.
Table of Contents
PREFACE
I INTRODUCTION
I A Definitions
1. Stereotypes
2. Identity
3. American Mass Media
I B Theoretical approaches
1. Frank Chin and Jeffrey Paul Chan: Racist Love
2. Frank Chin: Come All Ye Asian American Writers of the Real and the Fake
II MAIN PART
II A The Portrayal of Chinese Culture in American Movies
1. Lost Horizon (1937)
a Content
b Historical Background
c Observations
i The Confirmation of Stereotypes
ii Racist Love and Racist Hate
iii The Perpetuation of Miscegenation
iv Sexism
d The Construction of Chinese American Identity
i White Supremacist Definition
ii Chinese American Definition
e Summary
2. Mulan
a Content
i The Children’s Book
ii The Disney Movie
b Observations
i The Confirmation of Stereotypes
ii Racist Hate
iii Sexism
iv Linguistic and Cultural Imperialism
c The Construction of Chinese American Identity
i White Supremacist Definition
ii Chinese American Definition
d Summary
3. Summary
II B The Self-Projection of Chinese Americans in Contemporary Novels
1. Frank Chin: Donald Duk (1991)
a Frank Chin
b Content
c Observations
i Fake Customs and Culture of Chinese Americans
ii Real Customs and Culture of Chinese Americans
iii From an Identity of Either-Or to an Identity of Both-And
(1) Fake Chinese American Identity
(a) Donald Duk = 100 % American
(b) Donald Duk = 100 % Chinese
(2) Real Chinese American Identity
d The Construction of Chinese American Identity
i White Supremacist Definition
ii Chinese American Definition
e Summary
2. Fae Myenne Ng: Bone (1993)
a Fae Myenne Ng
b Content
c Observations
i Different Forms of Chinese American Identities Due to a Life Between Two Worlds
d The Construction of Chinese American Identity
i White Supremacist Definition
ii Chinese American Definition
e Summary
3. Summary
III CONCLUSION
III A Final Remarks and Open Questions
1. Lost Horizon
a A Social Commentary on White America
b A Comment on Imperialism
c A Warning
2. Mulan
a A Correct Image of Ancient China
b A Lesson For Whites
c A Reevaluation of Chinese Americans and a Positive Outlook
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines how stereotypes of Chinese Americans are constructed and perpetuated within American mass media, specifically focusing on Hollywood films and contemporary literature. The primary objective is to analyze how these media portrayals influence the formation of Chinese American identity, often forcing individuals to conform to white-supremacist definitions or internalize feelings of inferiority, while also exploring how certain authors and activists challenge these narratives to foster a more nuanced, dual-cultural identity.
- Analysis of racial stereotypes in mass media and their psychological impact on the Chinese American community.
- Application of the "racist love" and "racist hate" theoretical frameworks to cinematic and literary works.
- Critique of cultural and linguistic imperialism in the American adaptation of Chinese legends and narratives.
- Exploration of identity development for second-generation Chinese Americans caught between two cultures.
- Examination of how literature provides a voice for self-definition against imposed societal stereotypes.
Excerpt from the Book
i Fake Customs and Culture of Chinese Americans
In Donald Duk, Frank Chin manages to make the reader realize what is fake in their image of Chinese American customs and culture. This is especially clear when we take into consideration the ironic undertone of the whole text, and particularly of certain passages that clearly denounce stereotypes.
The stereotypes Chin points his finger at are among others that Chinese Americans are mysterious, that they are a threat, that they have strange eating habits and that they all look alike. Moreover, he criticizes white people’s idea that Chinese Americans cannot speak English very well and that they are passive and timid.
Their supposed mysteriousness is expressed in many passages containing Chinese sayings that do not make sense at first sight and without a certain understanding of Chinese culture, such as
“The Chinese say, Kingdoms raise and fall. Nations come and go” (11)
The Vietnam veteran’s comments to Donald Duk about his experiences in Vietnam portray the Chinese as a threat. He says:
“They were fighting the Chinese. You don’t want to fight the Chinese. They don’t stop till they get you. And you don’t want the Chinese to get you. They’ll hurt ya.” (18)
This notion about Chinese and actually all Asians looking alike is taken up by Donald when he looks at his entire family and says:
[...] there’s five of everybody. Five grand Ah-Goong Goong Goong Goong Goong, five grandmas Ah-Paw Ah-Paw Ah-Paw Ah-Paw Ah Paw. Five first sons and five first-son’s wives and twenty-five grandchildren. Five second daughters and five second daughter’s husbands and twenty-five grandchildren.” (61)
Summary of Chapters
I INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the study's focus on stereotypes of Chinese Americans in mass media and outlines the theoretical frameworks of identity construction.
II MAIN PART: This section provides a detailed analysis of cinematic portrayals in Lost Horizon and Mulan, followed by an exploration of Chinese American identity in novels by Frank Chin and Fae Myenne Ng.
III CONCLUSION: This concluding section summarizes the findings, highlighting how Chinese Americans are reclaiming their own identity by integrating both Chinese and American elements.
Keywords
Chinese Americans, Stereotypes, Identity, Mass Media, Hollywood, Frank Chin, Fae Myenne Ng, Racist Love, Racist Hate, Assimilation, Cultural Imperialism, Literature, Chinatown, Representation, Identity Construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how stereotypes of Chinese Americans are perpetuated in American mass media, specifically Hollywood movies and contemporary literature, and how these affect the construction of Chinese American identity.
What are the central thematic areas discussed?
Key themes include the impact of racial stereotyping, the concepts of "racist love" and "racist hate," the struggle for cultural authenticity, the role of literature in self-projection, and the challenges of dual-cultural identity.
What is the primary goal of the study?
The primary goal is to analyze how media-driven stereotypes force Chinese Americans to internalize limiting roles and to demonstrate how authors like Frank Chin and Fae Myenne Ng provide a counter-narrative for a more complex, self-defined identity.
Which scientific or analytical methods are utilized?
The author employs a qualitative, interpretive approach, analyzing specific works (films and novels) through the lens of Chin and Chan’s theoretical frameworks on identity and the effects of racist stereotyping.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body is divided into two parts: the analysis of cinematic depictions in Lost Horizon and Mulan, and the evaluation of Chinese American identity in the novels Donald Duk and Bone.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Chinese American identity, stereotyping, mass media, racist love, cultural imperialism, and the work of writers such as Frank Chin and Fae Myenne Ng.
How does the author interpret the role of "Mulan" in the context of identity?
The author argues that while the Disney version of Mulan perpetuates stereotypes and reflects American cultural imperialism, it also serves as a catalyst for discussion about how Chinese American women must navigate and challenge male-dominated spheres to achieve recognition.
What does the author suggest about the future of Chinese American identity?
The author concludes that a viable Chinese American identity should not require choosing between "American" or "Chinese" values, but rather should integrate both to form a unique, authentic identity that defies white-supremacist categorizations.
- Quote paper
- B.A. Stephanie Wössner (Author), 2004, Film, Literature and Chinese American Identity, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/138123
