Chinese Silence No. 22

By Timothy Yu

Date: 2016
Setting:
I think for this poem there is not a specific setting, from my point of view is just talking about Chinese culture in America and other parts of the world.
Characters:
This poem has as protagonists Chinese people and the stereotypes around them. Also, in this poem, it is possible to appreciate Italians, French, Americans, Canadians, Australians, and Scots.
How did it make me feel? Can I make any connection to my life?

This poem made me think about the different stereotypes society has for Chinese culture and other cultures around the world. Chinese Silence No.22 from my perspective presents the typical stereotype where Chinese are calm, even some Chinese typical instruments are shown; for example, the opium pipe and finger puzzle. Also, it made a reference to one of the most significant representations regarding architecture for this culture: Great Wall of China. However, in the poem, it is referring to language. The poem presents also different stereotypes we as society has to other cultures, for example, Italians and pasta, Americans and sports, Canadians and their particular and polite behavior. I liked this poem because I consider it represents Chinese culture really well.

Comments

"Mexican" Is Not a Noun

"Mexican" Is Not a Noun By Francisco X. Alarcón I liked this poem, from my perception it presents to the reader how it is to be Mexican, their reality. In the poem, the writer says that being Mexican is not a noun nor an adjective, it is a verb. Verbs are actions, the author is saying to the reader that being a Mexican is about actions; however, for them, their actions are seen with a negative perspective because of people opinion, normally a negative one. Francisco X. Alarcón presents a part of the reality of Mexicans in terms of jobs. He says that a Mexican life is a long low-paying job. This gives the reader the idea that they cannot get good jobs, jobs that can give them more opportunities, more incomes. They cannot have this opportunity probably because of discrimination, lack of opportunities. Also, in many parts of the poem, he uses negative words. He gives a negative connotation of being Mexican; for example, it is possible to see this when he...

To Live in the Borderlands

To Live in the Borderlands By Gloria Anzaldúa This poem written by Gloria Anzaldúa exposes how it is to live in the border between Texas and Mexico. This writing piece shows how a person who lives in the borderlands have a mixture of racial identities, and also the reader can see the combination of two languages, English and Spanish. I feel that this poem gives the idea that the person who lives in the borderland is a mixture of two cultures, the person has a hybrid race; however, he/she does not belong to any of them. I think it presents a clear panorama of how it is to live in the border, and how difficult is for a person who lives there be related or be familiarized with only one of the cultures. An individual who lives there is defined as a "mulato(a)" a person whose parents are from different races. In this poem, I can see the problems of identity the speaker has. I know that for a person must be complicated to define his or her identity if he or she is a ...

Every Little Hurricane

Every Little Hurricane By Sherman Alexie Setting: 1976, New Year's Eve, Spokane Indian Reservation Every Little Hurricane takes place in Spokane Indian Reservation, in a New Year's Eve party. It is about little Victor's family and how a "hurricane" passed through his house and his family. Characters: 1) Victor: It is the main character of the story. Victor is nine years old, for him, his family is important, despite all the problems they may have. 2) Victor's Parents: They were hosting a New Year's Eve party. They were so drunk that they passed out on their bed. Victor loves them and feels safe with them no matter what. 3) Victor's Uncles: Adolph and Arnold are Victor's uncles, they started a fight, they used to fight all the time; however, when the fight stopped they continued with the party. Every Little Hurricane is a story that reflects many of the social problems Indians have in reservations. From this story, I ...

Reflection Journal

Search This Blog