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In Two Kinds, Amy Tan explores a theme of independence. Jing-me is an impressionable nine year old girl living in an apartment with her parents. She struggles with the high expectations of her mother, to become a prodigy. The conflict results in a rebellious independence. Tan develops Jing-mes character as willful, defiant, and insecure. To begin, Tan demonstrates that Jing-mes willfulness stands in the way of her success.
For example, after failing many of her mothers prodigy tests, she begins to hate them. One night after another failed test, she adopted new thoughts, willful thoughts, or rather thoughts filled with lots of wont's (Tan 596). Jing-me decides that she is not going to let her mother change who she is, so she stops trying to be a prodigy. She demonstrates her willfulness when she performed listlessly, and pretended to be bored, when presented with further tests (596). Jing-mes headstrong attitude continues to stand in the way and keeps her from successfully learning to play the piano. She was determined not to try, not to be anybody different that she sabotaged her lessons (598).
Jing-mes attitude also accompanies her into her adult years. She fails many more times, asserting her own will, her right to fall short of expectations (602). Although Jing-me attempted to become a prodigy, ultimately it is her willfulness that hampers her success. Further, Tan depicts Jing-me as defiant in the face of her mothers expectations for her. This defiant attitude can be seen when Jing-me finds out that she will be taking piano lessons from Mr. Chong.
She throws a fit and asks her mother Why dont you like me the way I am? (597). While at the piano lessons she further shows her defiance of her mothers expectations when she learns that she can be lazy and get away with mistakes, lots of mistakes (598). Jing-me is upset with her mother for forcing her to take lessons, so she gets back at her by making a minimal effort to learn. Also, Jing-me displays her bold attitude a few days after she completely embarrassed her parents with a miserable performance at a talent-show. For example, she thought that after her poor performance at the talent-show, she never had to play the piano again (601). She further shows her defiant attitude when her mother reminds her that it is time to practice.
Jing-me replies Im not going to play anymore (601). All of these actions clearly shows Jing-mes defiant nature, which results in a strained relationship between mother and daughter. Finally, Tan characterizes Jing-me as insecure in her own capabilities. Like other children her age she is unsure of her ability to try something new.
At first, she is excited to try out different prodigies, but after numerous failures and seeing her mothers disappointed face once again something inside of her began to die (596). Jing-me failed so many test that she begins to think she can not be successful at anything. For example, when Jing-me finds out about the piano lessons she automatically assumes she will fail. She tells her mother I cant play the piano (597). At an early age she becomes programmed for failure which affects the rest of her life.
As an adult she recalls all of her past failures and thinks I did not believe I could be anything I wanted to be (602). Through all of her experiences of failure it is obvious that Jing-me is insecure in her own capabilities to succeed. Ultimately, Jing-mes willfulness, defiant attitude, and insecurity results in an unsuccessful life. Her unruly behavior towards her mother resulted in a nonexistent relationship for several years and unanswered questions. Tan has presented the story of a young girl whose life continued to be difficult because of her rebellious independence.
Sources: Tan, Amy. Two Kinds. LITERATURE: READING, REACTING, WRITING. 4 th ed. Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell, eds.
New York: Harcourt, 2001. 594 - 603.
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