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Individualism vs Family Values in Two Kinds and A Family Supper - Online Essay

Individualism vs Family Values in Two Kinds and A Family Supper

Social Discord within Families: Individualism versus Asian family values in Two Kinds by Amy Tan and A Family Supper by Kazuo Ishiguro

The decision to adopt two contrasting cultures creates conflict for the individual, especially when dealing with people coming from one of these cultures. This dilemma emerged from the prevalence of migration and assimilation of American culture among Asians, who, for want of a better life in the United States, attempted to adapt successfully/ unsuccessfully to the dominant American society. This problem is especially harder to deal with when the individual is confronted by his/her native roots, and since Asian societies are primarily collectivist, ...

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that arose from the main character/protagonist's decision to live a life in America than in Japan. These apparent and existing displays of family discord in the two short stories show how conflict arises when an individual tries to assert his/her individualism in the midst of family pressure to become conservative and observe traditional values taught to him/her. In this paper, the theme of individualism versus Asian family values (collectivism) is analyzed, relating this dominant theme (in the stories) to family relations, specifically the issue of social discord and tension within the family.
Similarities between Tan's and Ishiguro's narration in the short stories portray the protagonists who are in a constant struggle between asserting their true selves and obeying the wishes of their parents. Tan, in Two Kinds, narrates how Suyuan Woo, an immigrant from China, is in constant conflict with her daughter Jing Mei, who was born and reared in America. The difference between the ...

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Individualism vs Family Values in Two Kinds and A Family Supper. (2016, August 29). Retrieved January 17, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Individualism-vs-Family-Values-Two-Kinds/105841

"Individualism vs Family Values in Two Kinds and A Family Supper." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 29 Aug. 2016. Web. 17 Jan. 2026. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Individualism-vs-Family-Values-Two-Kinds/105841>

"Individualism vs Family Values in Two Kinds and A Family Supper." Essayworld.com. August 29, 2016. Accessed January 17, 2026. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Individualism-vs-Family-Values-Two-Kinds/105841.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 8/29/2016 02:35:07 AM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1188
Pages: 5

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