The Woman Warrior
Throughout the book, The Woman Warrior, by Maxine Hong Kingston, the generation gap between the narrator and Brave Orchid is evident. The narrator feels that her mother's culture values have no relevance in America. In the chapter, At the Western Palace, Brave Orchid sends for her sister, Moon Orchid, to come to America and urges Moon Orchid to confront her sister's husband. The ideas that Brave Orchid has are bold and they conflict with Moon Orchid's nature. Brave Orchid and Moon Orchid are two Chinese women who live in two different countries. They are separated by a cultural gap rather than a generation gap. This gap between Brave Orchid and Moon Orchid has created two inimical viewpoints on the value of physical appearance, necessity versus extravagance, and modesty in manner. Physical appearance is very important in America's society whereas women in Asia only dress-up on special occasions. Most of the time, Asia's women are cooking, cleaning, and sewing, which is manual work. In America, when women go out in public, they try to look presentable, pleasing to the human eye. After Moon Orchid arrives, one of the first things that Brave Orchid does is point out that Moon Orchid is fat and looks very old. "You're a
Brave Orchid seems to strive for extravagance while Moon Orchid seeks only for necessity. When immigrants come from other countries, they strive to achieve the "American Dream." Often times, they lose sight of their dream and are tempted and blinded by luxuries. People who live in Asia, work long, hard hours to support their family. In places like China, the best a person can do is to earn enough to provide his/her family with the bare necessities. They feel that extravagance is a waste. Brave Orchid has lived that immigrant life. She goes to America to achieve a dream and discovers there that extravagance exists and can be attained. Moon Orchid who lived in China does not understand why such luxuries are desired. Brave Orchid wants Moon Orchid to take advantage of all that Moon Orchid's husband may have. Brave Orchid tells her to, "...Let him know exactly how much money you expect for allowance...Ask for more, of course. Food costs more here. Tell him your daughter must inherit his property..." She urges Moon Orchid to demand many material things. America has taught her that one can be rich and she sees this as a "get rich quick" opportunity. Moon Orchid does not understand why her sister wants so much. Moon Orchid was satisfied with the money her husband sent her. She could live comfortably off it and was able to send her daughter to college. "He didn't abandon me. He's given me so much money. I've had all the food and clothes and servants I've ever wanted. And he's supported our daughter too, even though she's only a girl. He sent her to college. I can't bother him." Moon Orchid is completely content with what she has been given. Brave Orchid wants more for her sister. She wants her sister to live luxuriously, the way some people only dream of living, while Moon Orchid wants to settle for "just enough." America and China's expectations and desired lifestyles are radically different causing a clash among sisters. Brave Orchid and Moon Orchid's different opinions
Some common words found in the essay are:
Moon Orchid, Brave Orchid, Moon Orchid's, brave orchid, moon orchid, American Dream, America China's, Orchid She's, Orchid Chinese, China America, moon orchid's, orchid moon, Orchid Moon, America America's, brave orchid moon, orchid moon orchid, physical appearance, looks brave orchid, looks brave, orchid moon orchid's, extravagance modesty, orchid lived, modesty manner, learned lifestyles china, sister moon,
Approximate Word count = 1354
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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