Joy in finding ones self
By: John Gray
Amy Tan uses the theme of Identity to show how many of the characters change on the surface but still are the same person inside.
Amy Tan uses the theme of Identity to show how many of the characters change on the surface but still are the same person inside. "I asked myself, What is true about a person? Would I change in the same way the river changes color but still be the same person?" The idea is that the river changes color but is still the river. Some aspects of identity change over time. For example, the identities of the mothers change when they leave China. In China, you're identity was based on your family’s social status, who you marry, etc. In America, identity can change with whats popular at the time, things like whether or not it’s cool to use your Chinese name, whether you are Chinese American versus just American. Both mothers and daughters have to grapple with what it means to be Chinese versus being American. Part of identity, however, is something you cant change. Your family, for example, makes up a large part of a person, Some characters also think that being Chinese is in your DNA, it’s a part of your identity that you can’t get rid of. For the most part the characters have an inner voice, which at times they may try to hold back, but is still always a part of them.