Tiger Mom
Isabel Lawrence
Erik Habecker
Writing 10, Section 7
11 September 2012
Rhetorical Analysis – “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior” Parenting is always a debatable topic in America. Every person has an opinion on how a child should be raised and disciplined. In Amy Chua’s “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior” (an excerpt from Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother), Chua explains Chinese parenting and how it is effective in her life. She claims that by breaking down a child and pushing them to their full potential, the child will, in turn, be confident and incredibly successful. Through the use of several rhetorical devices, Chua supports, as well as weakens, her claim and expresses a different, controversial way of parenting. An important element in Chua’s argument is her ethos. She is clearly an intellectual individual, given that she is a professor at Yale University. Putting aside her credentials, this essay brings forth a distinct character. From the start, she identifies herself as a tough and strict “Chinese mother”. Throughout the piece she uses several personal experiences that support this assertion. The reader recognizes a sense of confidence from Chua as she repeatedly contrasts Western-parenting ideals from Chinese-parenting ideals. As far as her credibility as an author, it is questionable. She writes, “ Chinese parents believe that their kids owe them everything. The reason for this is a little unclear…” Her credibility begins to slip when she uses the word “unclear”. This statement suggests that she does not even know herself why she is parenting the way she is parenting. It also presents a perfect opportunity for opposing people to make an argument against Chua’s style of parenting. Another instance where Chua’s credibility becomes uncertain is when she writes of mimicking her husband when he intervenes in a dispute between her and their daughter. It shows that she is unwilling to listen to the other side of her argument and has this
Erik Habecker
Writing 10, Section 7
11 September 2012
Rhetorical Analysis – “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior” Parenting is always a debatable topic in America. Every person has an opinion on how a child should be raised and disciplined. In Amy Chua’s “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior” (an excerpt from Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother), Chua explains Chinese parenting and how it is effective in her life. She claims that by breaking down a child and pushing them to their full potential, the child will, in turn, be confident and incredibly successful. Through the use of several rhetorical devices, Chua supports, as well as weakens, her claim and expresses a different, controversial way of parenting. An important element in Chua’s argument is her ethos. She is clearly an intellectual individual, given that she is a professor at Yale University. Putting aside her credentials, this essay brings forth a distinct character. From the start, she identifies herself as a tough and strict “Chinese mother”. Throughout the piece she uses several personal experiences that support this assertion. The reader recognizes a sense of confidence from Chua as she repeatedly contrasts Western-parenting ideals from Chinese-parenting ideals. As far as her credibility as an author, it is questionable. She writes, “ Chinese parents believe that their kids owe them everything. The reason for this is a little unclear…” Her credibility begins to slip when she uses the word “unclear”. This statement suggests that she does not even know herself why she is parenting the way she is parenting. It also presents a perfect opportunity for opposing people to make an argument against Chua’s style of parenting. Another instance where Chua’s credibility becomes uncertain is when she writes of mimicking her husband when he intervenes in a dispute between her and their daughter. It shows that she is unwilling to listen to the other side of her argument and has this