Asian American actress Anna May Wong (1905- 1961) was the most famous actress among all Chinese American actresses during the first half of the twentieth century. Her career spanned four decades and during that time she played all the Asian stereotypes from Dragon Lady and lotus blossom to seductress. Her status as a female of Asian ancestry living in America complicted her precedings in getting out of stereotypical parts she was offered. So how and why could Anna May Wong then raise to stardom in a time when Orientals were faced with racism, but in spite of that, is not sufficiently remembered nowadays?
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The “Yellow Race” in America
- Anna May Wong’s Family
- The Choice of Acting
- Hollywood’s View on China
- Stereotypes in Hollywood Movies
- Anna May Wong as the Dragon Lady
- Oriental Characters in Movies
- The Yelloface Stereotype
- Anna May Wong's Death
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text aims to explore the challenges faced by Asian American actress Anna May Wong in Hollywood during the first half of the twentieth century, focusing on the impact of racism and stereotypical representations of Chinese people in American cinema.
- The impact of racism and prejudice on Asian American actresses
- The persistence of stereotypes and their influence on casting decisions
- The evolution of American perceptions of China and its portrayal in Hollywood
- The limitations imposed on Anna May Wong's career due to her race and gender
- The complex relationship between Anna May Wong's Chinese heritage and her American identity
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The text begins by introducing Anna May Wong as a prominent Chinese American actress during the first half of the twentieth century, highlighting the challenges she faced due to her race and gender in a time when Hollywood was heavily influenced by racist ideologies.
The following chapters delve into the historical context of Asian immigration to America, specifically focusing on the hardships endured by Chinese Americans, including discriminatory laws and societal prejudice. The text then explores the cultural and social dynamics within Chinatowns, highlighting the limited opportunities for women and the prevalence of prostitution.
Further chapters analyze the impact of these societal conditions on Anna May Wong's personal life and her decision to pursue acting. The text examines the clash between her aspirations for a career in Hollywood and the traditional expectations of Chinese American women, highlighting the obstacles she faced due to her father's disapproval and the prevalence of stereotypes in the film industry.
The text then investigates the portrayal of China and Chinese Americans in Hollywood films, examining the ways in which Hollywood's racial logic shaped Anna May Wong's roles and limited her to stereotypical characters, such as the Dragon Lady and the Lotus Flower.
The text concludes by discussing the Yelloface stereotype and its impact on Anna May Wong's career, highlighting the persistent racism that prevented her from securing major roles.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This text primarily focuses on the themes of race, gender, and identity in Hollywood, specifically exploring the challenges faced by Asian American actresses, the persistence of stereotypes, and the impact of American Orientalism on Anna May Wong's career. Key terms include: Asian American, Chinese American, Anna May Wong, Hollywood, racism, stereotypes, Dragon Lady, Lotus Flower, Yelloface, American Orientalism, film industry.
- Quote paper
- Magister Anke Werckmeister (Author), 2006, Asian American actress Anna May Wong - And her Story, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/202059
