| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立中正大學 === 比較文學研究所 === 91 === Abstract
The thesis discusses the cultural identity of Chinese Americans. In examining the two novels, Shawn Wong’s Homebase and Ruthanne Lum McCunn’s Wooden Fish Songs, I try to explore the problem: how do Chinese Americans define themselves as “Americans” and claim American legitimacy?
The thesis is divided into four chapters. “Introduction” and “Conclusion” respectively, are designed to offer motivation and result. The First Chapter is about my discussion based on Stuart Hall’s observation and statements on the issue of cultural identity. Chapter Two is concerned with Chinese American ethnic American identity. Shawn Wong in Homebase, constructs Chinese American ethnic culture and traditions and reject American culture. He focuses on the story of the men who built the railroads across America. Through representing the unsung past, the fourth generation Chinese American, Rainsford, restores his as well as his ancestor’s legitimacy in the United States. Through the cultural recovery, Chinese Americans reconceptualize their identity, which is based on a Chinese American past with roots in the United States.
The subject of Chapter Three is Wooden Fish Songs. In this novel, McCunn focuses on a cross-cultural experience. Lue’s double upbringing helps him accomplish the American dream and regain a determinate place in two cultures. Through McCunn’s exploration, we are told that hybrid functions as an inevitable survival tacit for minorities in their confrontation of the hegemonic culture. Chinese American will never be either “Chinese” or “American” culturally. The only possible success lies in a synthesis of the two. They must define themselves as Ameircans, but with difference.
Wong and McCunn insist on cultural differences. They believe that ethnic groups must emphasize their differences from the dominant group, or risk being erased through assimilation. Difference for ethnic groups or immigrants is derived from their pasts. Whether ethnic groups like it or not, such difference is already inscribed in their cultural identities. Therefore, to affirm their differences, ethnic groups can validate their identity as American beyond the conventional definition of white American. Simultaneously, they also expand and redefine the term “American”. America is a country of different ethnic groups including white Ameircans, Chinese Americans and Native Americans. Being far from pure, America consists of a hybrid, mixing ethnic groups. Rather than a melting pot, America is a multicultural society. Every ethnic group in this country should be regarded as “real” Americans.
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