Archetypes
This archetype is seen throughout the story when Jing-mei and her mother argue or go through conflict.
What is the Father-Son Conflict Archetype?
Jing-mei's mother moves to this place after losing everything in China.
What is San Francisco?
The narrator and main protagonist of the story.
Who is Jing-mei?
This character yelled this quote out of anger: "Only two kinds of daughters, those who are obedient and those who follow their own mind! Only one kind of daughter can live in this house. Obedient daughter!"
Who is Jing-mei's mother?
This object symbolizes Jing-mei's mother's expetations and pressure for her daughter to become a prodigy. It later begins to represent her relationship with her mother and her eventually understanding her mother's intentions.
What is the piano?
This color represents purity, innocence, and rebirth throughout the story.
What is the color White?
Jing-mei's mother constantly pressures her to become this.
Jing-mei's piano teacher who was deaf.
Who is Mr. Chong/Old Chong
This character said this quote during a heated argument: "Then I wish I'd never been born! I wish I were dead! Like them."
Who is Jing-mei?
The two songs that symbolize the two sides of Jing-mei's identity.
What are "Pleading Child" and "Perfectly Contented?"
This archetype is shown when Jing-mei is looking in the mirror and chooses to be herself.
What is The Crossroads archetype?
Jing-mei must practice her piano every day at this time.
What is 4:00 p.m.?
The main antagonist and person who pushed Jing-mei to be a prodigy.
Who is Jing-mei's mother?
This character said this quote after a talent show: "That was somethin' else"
Who is Jing-mei's father?
This idea symbolizes the high expectations Jing-mei's mother had for her, while the constant pressure symbolizes the struggle Jing-mei faced.
What is the idea of a prodigy?
This archetype is used when Jing-mei's mother compares her to other children, creating competition and conflict.
What is The Shadow archetype?
The american actress Jing-mei's mother thought she could be a "Chinese version" of.
Who is Shirley Temple?
Chinatown's Littlest Chinese Chess Champion.
Who is Waverly Jong?
This character said this quote to Jing-mei while they were playing piano: "Key! Treble! Bass! No sharps or flats! So this is C major! Listen now and play after me!"
Who is Mr. Chong/Old Chong
This place represents the opportunity and dream throughout the story. Jing-mei's mother believes that because they are there, Jing-mei can become anything she dreams if she works hard enough.
What is the American Dream?
Not in the slides, this archetype is shown when Jing-mei is forced into a role she doesn't want and resists her mother's expectations
What is the Unwilling Hero archetype?
The two songs Jing-mei realizes are actually two halves of the same song.
What is "Pleading Child" and "Perfectly Contented"?
Waverly Jong's Mother
This character said this quote to Jing-mei after the talent show: "You aren't a genius like me."
Who is Waverly Jong
This object represents Jing-mei's struggle with her identity. When she looks at herself, she doesn't see a successful prodigy, but instead sees someone who wants to be herself.
What is the mirror?