Double Whammy Character Analysis
Joshua Cotter
Knutson
American Literature
01/17/10
Double Whammy
Min is a self-sacrificing person who keeps to herself and feels responsible for making Tian happy. Min says of her relationship with Tian, “Since our marriage, I had watched over his eating and sleeping habits, but I needed to spend more time mending his clothes and coaxing him to buy new ones” (21). Tian doesn’t recognize all the sacrifices that Min takes for him and because of this she should stand up for herself, but maybe she’s afraid that Tian might leave her. Min works really hard to make life for Tian good, but he doesn’t really appreciate what she does and she can’t do anything about it because she is intimidated by him. Their relationship also suffers when …show more content…
After Ruth was born, it seemed as if Tian became happier. Tian enjoyed playing with his daughter as “She allowed him to tickle her, squirmed, and giggled until Tian’s mouth twitched. ‘Mushroom head,’ he said finally. ‘Rice bucket’” (45). When Ruth was born, Tian seemed to spend a lot of time with her. He seemed to be happier because Ruth resembled his family in a way. Min didn’t mind this because she was happy Tian was happy. When Ruth got old enough she started to learn to play the violin. From time to time she would disobey her dad just to play around, but maybe this is a sign that in the future there could be a change. As time goes on Ruth starts disobeying Tian more and more and finally tells him that, “I don’t like playing the violin. In fact, I never liked it. I hate it, as a matter of fact” (86). Because her father pushed to play the violin so much she finally cries out to Tian that she hates the violin, and wants to play the guitar. This is a major change for Ruth since she has been playing the violin for all of her life. Later on Ruth changes even more by eventually leaving the house. Lastly, after Tian passes away she comes back home, but leaves again and tells Min she is getting married to a man she doesn’t even love. In the end, Ruth goes from goes from a sweet girl, to a rebellious teen, who leaves her
Knutson
American Literature
01/17/10
Double Whammy
Min is a self-sacrificing person who keeps to herself and feels responsible for making Tian happy. Min says of her relationship with Tian, “Since our marriage, I had watched over his eating and sleeping habits, but I needed to spend more time mending his clothes and coaxing him to buy new ones” (21). Tian doesn’t recognize all the sacrifices that Min takes for him and because of this she should stand up for herself, but maybe she’s afraid that Tian might leave her. Min works really hard to make life for Tian good, but he doesn’t really appreciate what she does and she can’t do anything about it because she is intimidated by him. Their relationship also suffers when …show more content…
After Ruth was born, it seemed as if Tian became happier. Tian enjoyed playing with his daughter as “She allowed him to tickle her, squirmed, and giggled until Tian’s mouth twitched. ‘Mushroom head,’ he said finally. ‘Rice bucket’” (45). When Ruth was born, Tian seemed to spend a lot of time with her. He seemed to be happier because Ruth resembled his family in a way. Min didn’t mind this because she was happy Tian was happy. When Ruth got old enough she started to learn to play the violin. From time to time she would disobey her dad just to play around, but maybe this is a sign that in the future there could be a change. As time goes on Ruth starts disobeying Tian more and more and finally tells him that, “I don’t like playing the violin. In fact, I never liked it. I hate it, as a matter of fact” (86). Because her father pushed to play the violin so much she finally cries out to Tian that she hates the violin, and wants to play the guitar. This is a major change for Ruth since she has been playing the violin for all of her life. Later on Ruth changes even more by eventually leaving the house. Lastly, after Tian passes away she comes back home, but leaves again and tells Min she is getting married to a man she doesn’t even love. In the end, Ruth goes from goes from a sweet girl, to a rebellious teen, who leaves her