“Who’s Irish?” is one story, told by an old immigrant Chinese grandmother; it is also a story of gaps, which includes gaps of communication, gaps of cultural differences, gaps of ages, as well as gaps in family relationships.
The old Chinese lady described her family throughout the whole story. Long time ago, she and her husband had owned and operated a restaurant. Her daughter is Natalie. She married with an Irish man, and gave birth to a little girl, named as Sophie. I say this story of various gaps due to, except this old lady emigrated from China, her daughter Natalie and granddaughter Sophie were born in the United States, and grew up without much or even any Chinese Experiences. Events come to a crisis when the 3-year-old willful Sophie hiding from her grandmother- the old Chinese lady, in a playground foxhole. The Chinese old lady tried to use a stick to chase Sophie out of there, however, her daughter unexpectedly yelled at her and let her put down that stick like a crazy. To the end of this story, the daughter took her mother around to look at apartments and asked her mother to live by herself.
After briefly reviewing of this story, I guess there must be many complaints among Chinese/Asian readers. This is because; China has been always raising our traditional virtues such as respecting the old, and supporting our parents. However, in this case, things like Natalie asked her 68-year-old mother to take good care of her 3-year-old daughter without payment, Natalie yelled at her mother for protecting her daughter, or even Natalie asked her mother out of her house to live by herself, will be definitely condemned by the society of China. What was worse? The old lady originally came from China, and better Known of Chinese traditional cultural. As an injured, I can imagine how sad she might felt like. From my this point of view, I think I have explained 3 big gaps in this story – gaps of cultural differences, gaps of ages, and gaps in family relationships.
In addition, in China, young people have their voluntaries and obligations to support their parents. To support their parents, they need to provide their parents costs of living regularly. Not only for financial, young people should care about their parents all the time, which is a more important requirement. In China, although we don’t have a law to require young people support and live with their old parents after the young get marred. But as I said above, it’s our Chinese traditional virtue to take good care of their parents. Additionally, in “Who’s Irish?”, author Gish Jen, also gave an emphasis on this family issue that on page 181 of this novel book, she mentioned that “In China, daughter take care of the mother”.
To end my diary, I would like to imagine a letter written by Sophie to her grandmother, after she growing up, which also shows my best wishes to this story.
Dear Grandma,
Happy Labor Day! I hope you are feeling well and enjoying yourself.
I’m living in Beijing, China right now. Three years ago, I met a Chinese man in New York City; we fell in love with each other and finally got married. One year later, we decided to move back to China and set up our new home. Living in China for almost two years, I have learned a lot about China. My husband, Wang, is also an unexpected change to my life. He’s been always telling me about Chinese traditional culture and tried to make me better understand about the differences between Chinese and American cultures. So, I suddenly realized that what you taught me when I was little did mostly benefit to my life. Without you, I would even never know how to control of my treacherous emotions. Meanwhile, I also feel really sorry to you that I wasn’t your obedient grandchild, and always broke your heart when I was little. Please forgive me.
It's so nice to talk to you. I think I'll write you again soon.
It's so nice to talk to you. I think I'll write you again soon.
Love,
Sophie
Your letter from an adult Sophie to her grandma was a nice creative touch. It created an alternative ending to the Gish story. The end of her story does seem somewhat sad in that the grandma has stayed true to her Chinese culture, traditions, and beliefs and yet her daugher turned her back on her mother. I was unaware of how important it is and customary for the children in China to take care of their parents when they are older. Several of you are providing wonderful personal insight into Chinese/Asian culture that I did not know. You are helping to bridge the cultural gap between your country and ours by providing insight and creating a better understanding to what Chinese value most-family, respect, tradition, etc.
ReplyDeleteI like your letter because it shows that eventually, Sophie does see the good in her grandma and realizes that as a child she was unruly. In addition, it shows Sophie is embracing her Chinese roots. Since Natalie was born and raised in America, it appears she had adopted American ideals and does not follow Chinese trandition. One would assume that since Sophie too was born and raised in the United States that she would know even less of her Chinese cultures. Your letter brings the grandma's story full circle.