Two Kinds
Jing-mei’s mother’s belief that anyone can succeed in America expresses this major theme tied to the immigrant experience.
What is the American Dream?
In “The Raincoat,” the speaker realizes her mother spent years driving her here, a place related to her back problem.
What are doctor appointments?
The father calls this short two‑word expression to praise the speaker.
What is “Good job”?
This effect suggests that a small flap of an insects' wings could theoretically influence large-scale events weeks later.
What is the butterfly effect?
Gregor works in this profession, which motivates his sense of duty and anxiety.
What is a traveling salesman?
Years later, Jing-mei’s mother gives her this exact object, calling it a “token of faith” and showing reconciliation.
What is the piano?
This emotion fills the adult speaker in “Those Winter Sundays” when he remembers not thanking his father for his efforts.
What is regret?
The speaker later imagines this life event his father will never experience—the one he pictured when asked what he misses.
What is handing over the grandchild he will never know?
According to the talk, small parenting decisions can have ripple effects that are often this.
What is unpredictable?
The family lodgers or tenants represent this theme by their presence in the story.
What is societal judgment or intrusion?
Jing-mei’s mother insists there are “two kinds of daughters”: those who obey and those who do this.
What is follow their own mind?
Both poems explore this major theme, shown through parents performing unnoticed tasks for their children.
What is unacknowledged parental sacrifice?
During the lesson, the father does this physical gesture on the car, showing supportive presence.
What is placing his hand on the gearshift?
The talk highlights that parenting advice is often misleading because it assumes parents have this kind of impact on a child’s future.
What is total control?
Gregor’s isolation after his transformation represents this existential theme.
What is alienation?
When Jing-mei refuses to continue piano lessons, she shouts that she wishes this, which deeply hurts her mother.
What is “I wish I were dead like them!” (referring to her mother’s lost twins)?
In “Those Winter Sundays,” the speaker refers to his father’s unthanked efforts as this exact type of love.
What is “austere” love?
This major theme is shown by the father teaching life skills and offering praise that shapes the speaker’s self‑view.
What is the influence of parental guidance on self‑confidence?
Munakata emphasizes that child development is influenced by parenting, genes, peers, and this broad factor that shapes behavior.
What is culture or environment?
Gregor’s physical transformation is a metaphor for this recurring theme in Kafka’s work.
What is dehumanization or loss of identity?
As an adult, Jing-mei discovers that this second song, which pairs with “Pleading Child,” represents the other half of her identity.
What is “Perfectly Contented”?
In “The Raincoat,” the speaker uses this exact verb to describe the sensation of her spine gradually unraveling, creating a vivid image of physical and emotional tension.
What is “unspooling”?
The speaker’s reflection on learning and praise from his father demonstrates this theme about personal growth over time.
What is maturation or coming of age?
Munakata argues that children respond differently to the same advice or rules because of this inherent aspect of development.
What is individual variation or uniqueness?
The family’s relief at Gregor’s death highlights this harsh theme about human relationships.
What is selfishness or conditional love?