Pre-Writing Assignment
Brainstorm
The assignment aims to compare two works, Maxine Hong Kingston’s ‘No Name Woman’ and ‘Shooting an Elephant’ by George Orwell. Both texts reveal various problems an individual often encounters while living in a multicultural society. Hence, they depict significant similarities in several issues, including immigration, racism, and identity crisis. Again, there are deaths in both narratives that are symbolic. Ideally, the killing of the elephant and Kington’s aunt’s death indicated that both societies had little room for mistakes, and going against the societal norms could result in severe consequences. The authors also seem to narrate their experiences, making both works some forms of imaginative fiction or autobiographies.
Despite the similarities, there exist some differences between the two communities. For instance, power between societies functions differently. While women seem to have no power in Chinese culture, British colonialists allow women to enjoy a sense of freedom, and they have equal rights with men. Again, the two books convey different messages. However, the two autobiographies address the relationship between an individual and society or multiple societies and explore problems immigrants encounter interacting or living within a multicultural society.
Evidence and Analysis
Kingston’s ‘No Name Woman’
‘Marriage promise to turn strangers into friendly relatives.’ (Kingston 246). The author personifies the statement to emphasize that intermarriage is an essential element in uniting societies. She narrates her experience of growing up in America as an immigrant. Hence, the quote affirms that she encountered racism because of her skin color and cultural variation. However, she believes that intermarriage would play a significant role in ending discrimination.
‘You must not tell anyone.’ (Kingston 238). The narrator’s mother warns her against telling anybody about the story of her aunts’ death. Indeed, the quote is symbolical because silence made it seem like Kingston’s Aunt, ‘No Name Woman,’ never existed. Besides, the author associates silence with weakness and insanity, and her childhood experiences affirm the claim. Therefore, the quote reveals that Chinese society perceived women as weak and voiceless, and they had no power to fight against oppressive cultural aspects.
‘Shooting an Elephant’
‘I was hated by large numbers of people’ (Orwell 308). Indeed, the quote’s tone reveals that the author encountered challenges growing up as in a multicultural society. As an immigrant, he equally faced difficulties in the new community, including racism. Therefore, the quote indicates that the text addresses issues individuals encounter when interacting or living in multiple societies.
‘For all that time I had already made up my mind that imperialism was an evil thing.’ (Orwell 309). The quote is metaphorical. The author compares imperialism with evil. Besides, it shows that the narrator had an identity crisis and was torn between right and wrong. Although he spent his life trying to impress the natives, he was all for the Burmese and was against their oppressors. Hence, he unwillingly oppressed the Burmese to obey the British colonial commands against his moral beliefs.