The 'American Born Chinese' novel is a significant work that explores the identity of Chinese - Americans. It delves into the experiences of being caught between two cultures, the Chinese heritage and the American upbringing. It shows the struggles of the characters in finding their place, facing discrimination, and trying to reconcile different aspects of their identity.
It's fiction. American Born Chinese creates a fictional narrative with made-up situations and characters to convey its themes and messages. The story isn't based on real events or people.
Another great one could be 'The Shadow Hero' by Gene Luen Yang and Sonny Liew. It reimagines a forgotten Golden Age superhero as a Chinese - American. The graphic design in this novel is really something special. It combines elements of traditional Chinese art with the style of American superhero comics, and the story is a fresh take on the superhero genre, exploring themes of family, heritage, and the power of the individual.
The novel 'American Born Chinese' is important because it gives a voice to a group that often feels marginalized. It uses elements of Chinese mythology within the context of American life to create a story that is both relatable and eye - opening. It can help non - Asian readers understand the Asian - American experience better, and Asian - American readers can see their own experiences reflected in the pages.
Often, these graphic novels also have themes related to family values. The family, especially the relationship with immigrant parents, is a common thread. In many of these stories, the parents' hopes and dreams for their children in the new country, as well as the cultural gap between generations, are explored. This is seen in various works where the characters are trying to balance their own desires with their family's expectations.
Well, one of the key characters in the 'American Born Chinese' graphic novel is Jin Wang. He's a normal kid in many ways but his Asian features make him an outsider in his mostly white school. He has a crush on a girl but his self - consciousness about his race holds him back. The Monkey King is an important character as well. He's a symbol of Asian mythology. His arc in the story shows how he battles his own ego and ultimately finds a sense of peace. Wei - Chen, Jin's friend, brings in the aspect of different family values. His family is more traditional and this influences his actions and decisions in the story.
They often blend Chinese and American cultures. For example, in 'American Born Chinese', there are elements of Chinese mythology like the Monkey King combined with the American high school setting.