"Pilgrims from the Orient" is about Jade Snow Wong's youthful years with her parents. Wong was expected to be a "perfect" girl. She was taught the finest manners that her parents could teach. Wong's father is an entrepreneur and he tried to make a living by having his own business. This man is described as strict, but not talkative. Among his number of attempts of opening new businesses, his most successful business is mass producing denim garments. Wong's mother was dutiful in her tasks. When she was done with one thing, she would start on another. She would waste no time. She lived by the moral of working and saving. Wong's family had to work hard to keep their business alive and this was no exception to Wong herself. Not only did Wong have to work, but she was also expected to learn the English language and her native tongue. Being a girl, Wong didn't have the same privileges as her eldest brother, but Wong was taught that his privileges were his birthright. Knowing this, Wong didn't think much of it and accepted it as it is. Wong's parents had a strong bond with Chinese heritage. None is allowed to show physical affection, talk back, argue, or show gratitude

Wong, at first, sees herself as a slave to men. She is to do nothing but serve dutifully to her husband and work hard. Later as she grows up, she learns about her rights as an American citizen. Today's American society doesn't have many restrictions on either gender thus making it equal (to a certain extent). During Wong's college years, she learns about human rights and what is to be a model human. This puts a large question mark on Wong's Chinese customs. Wong doesn't mention which system of culture is best, but she does put down Chinese customs and raise the status of American culture. Although she does this, it is evident that she still has Chinese customs and culture within her and that will never change. Although she did rebel against her parents in the end of the essay, Wong does not hate her parents. Wong is proving that everything can't remain the same. Wong will always be Chinese because that's what she is. This can all be tied together by saying that culture will always be present, but not the same.

"Pilgrims from the Orient" is a well picked title for this personal essay. Jade Snow Wong's family is exactly what the title is. The main idea of this personal essay is the fact that customs can't remain stable in a person's mind after many generations of evolution. Although this is not exactly stated, it is inferred.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 900
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)