Trying to Find Chinatown
Ramsey 1
Valeriya Ramsey
February 8, 2014
Reality and Appearance of David Hwang’s “Trying to Find Chinatown”
This play was written by Chinese-American in 1996, to show two extreme sides of one background. The theme of the play is a reality and appearance of two people that are so similar but yet so different. Stereotype is definitely stands out by David Hwang’s style, symbols, setting and tone of voice.
There are two subjects in the play. First is Ronnie who is an Asian- American that wants to be Americanized and hates the part that he is Asian. Ronnie is a street violinist that wants to survive by playing music on the streets of New York City. Second is Benjamin who is Caucasian looking, but he was adopted by an Asian-American family; therefore, he is proud of his Chinese heritage. The setting took in New York City to give that “melting pot” feeling and show how many people of different background are in one place.
Cultural stereotype is something that people do everyday, they are not trying to be mean about it but one culture may know one thing about another and that’s all they know.
Meanwhile, second culture may get offended by being placed in one small box of acceptance.
David Hwang shows the ignorance of Ronnie: “If this was a fiddle, I’d be sitting here with a cob pipe, stomping my cowboy boots and
Ramsey 1 kicking up hay. Then I’d go home and fuck my cousin.” This quote is made by Ronnie showing a stereotype of the Caucasian American boy with fair skin, blue eyes, and blond hair.
On the other hand, there is a stereotype of Asians as well. This quote that was made by
Ronnie again, shows it in his choice of words and anger. “ What are you gonna ask me next?
Where you can find the best dim sum in the city? Whether I can direct you to a genuine opium den? Or do I happen to know how you can meet Miss Saigon for a night of nookie-nookie followed by a good old-fashioned ritual
Valeriya Ramsey
February 8, 2014
Reality and Appearance of David Hwang’s “Trying to Find Chinatown”
This play was written by Chinese-American in 1996, to show two extreme sides of one background. The theme of the play is a reality and appearance of two people that are so similar but yet so different. Stereotype is definitely stands out by David Hwang’s style, symbols, setting and tone of voice.
There are two subjects in the play. First is Ronnie who is an Asian- American that wants to be Americanized and hates the part that he is Asian. Ronnie is a street violinist that wants to survive by playing music on the streets of New York City. Second is Benjamin who is Caucasian looking, but he was adopted by an Asian-American family; therefore, he is proud of his Chinese heritage. The setting took in New York City to give that “melting pot” feeling and show how many people of different background are in one place.
Cultural stereotype is something that people do everyday, they are not trying to be mean about it but one culture may know one thing about another and that’s all they know.
Meanwhile, second culture may get offended by being placed in one small box of acceptance.
David Hwang shows the ignorance of Ronnie: “If this was a fiddle, I’d be sitting here with a cob pipe, stomping my cowboy boots and
Ramsey 1 kicking up hay. Then I’d go home and fuck my cousin.” This quote is made by Ronnie showing a stereotype of the Caucasian American boy with fair skin, blue eyes, and blond hair.
On the other hand, there is a stereotype of Asians as well. This quote that was made by
Ronnie again, shows it in his choice of words and anger. “ What are you gonna ask me next?
Where you can find the best dim sum in the city? Whether I can direct you to a genuine opium den? Or do I happen to know how you can meet Miss Saigon for a night of nookie-nookie followed by a good old-fashioned ritual
Cited: Hwang, David. “Trying to find Chinatown”. The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Ed. Michael Meyer. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St.Martin’s, 2011. 1825-1830. Print.