Perspectives

Literary movement

The short story “Who’s Irish?” by Gish Jen is a modernist work of fiction. One of the modernist characteristics found in the text is the style of language, which makes the story more realistic and which helps readers connect with the narrator’s experiences. Moreover, the story is told by a first-person narrator, which gives readers insight into an immigrant’s experience in the US. 

Modernist stories use symbols to explore deeper issues. In “Who’s Irish?”, the foxhole and the stick symbolize the conflict between the narrator and her Sophie, who, in their turn, symbolize the differences between the East and the West. Moreover, “Who’s Irish?” is a modernist story which explores contemporary issues, such as racism or the immigrant...