Who's Irish?

This study guide will help you analyze the short story “Who’s Irish?” (1999) by Gish Jen. You can also find a summary of the text, as well as inspiration for interpreting it and putting it into perspective

Gish Jen (b. 1955) is a Chinese-American writer. The short story “Who’s Irish?” was published in a short story collection with the same name. Gish Jen has received several awards for her fiction and non-fiction. Some of her most famous novels are Typical American and The Love Wife

Extract

Here, you can read an extract from our study guide: 

Social setting

One of the issues explored by the story’s social setting is the immigrants’ struggle to adapt to American society. This issue is illustrated by the narrator, who, as a Chinese immigrant, cannot fully adapt to the US. The narrator and her husband have been successful with their business: “When I come to this country, I have no money and do not speak English. But my husband and I own our restaurant before he die. Free and clear, no mortgage” (p. 4, ll.22-24). Despite this, the narrator finds the American culture challenging. For example, she cannot understand why Natalie is so supportive of her unemployed husband: “I tell daughter, We do not have this word in Chinese, supportive” (p. 5, ll. 19-20). She does not understand why a girl like Amy was hired as babysitter: “… I cannot even look at this Amy, with her shirt so short that her belly button showing” (p. 8, ll. 14-15). 

Moreover, the narrator is judgmental of Natalie and John’s decision to educate their daughter without physically punishing her. This shows that, as a Chinese immigrant, the narrator cannot give up Chinese tradition and adapt to the American ways. 

Teksten herover er et uddrag fra webbogen. Kun medlemmer kan læse hele indholdet.

Få adgang til hele Webbogen.

Som medlem på Studienet.dk får du adgang til alt indhold.

Køb medlemskab nu

Allerede medlem? Log ind

Who's Irish?

[0]
Der er endnu ingen bedømmelser af dette materiale.