Asian Literature Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

Question: Discuss about theAsian Literaturefor Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. Answer: Introduction This assignment strives to provide a comparison and contrast between two selected texts, which are the "Funny Boy" by Shyam Selvadurai and "The joy Luck club" by Amy Tan. With the help of multi-section compositions, the "Funny Boy" portrays the clashes of cultural values and The joy Luck club depicts the challenges involved in cultural transition, the issues associated with immigrant identity, control over individuals destiny and so on. A thesis statement would be set that control the matter under discussion and summarizes the core concept of the selected texts. An inherent bond exists and carries forward from one generation to another, irrespective of cultural and generational conflicts, which is well interpreted in the context of storytelling. Throughout the text of The joy Luck club various narrators arbitrated on their helplessness to translate the sentiments and ideas during cultural transition. The partial understanding of the cultures of the daughters and mothers are obliged to their deficient language understanding. Also, the hindrances, which exist between the daughters and mothers, are sometimes because of their inefficiency to communicate with each other. Daughters know few Chinese words and mothers have very little knowledge on English that made their communication difficult and requires translation. However, problems have been faced while accepted and intended meaning are changed that in turn leads to misunderstanding. Many characters make sacrifices for their love towards their parents and children. The selflessness devotion conveys the bond between child and parent. Generational, linguistic and cultural gulfs are repeatedly weakened but it is also proved that the bond is not destroyed (Rogers and Meltzoff). Th is further shows that irrespective of the cultural barriers, children and parent bond strongly exists. It is mentioned in The joy Luck club that storytelling is a way of controlling individuals fate. It has created a place to barter stories. With hardship and pain, Suyun, a female character wanted to control her life. This indicates that the text not only served as distraction, but also facilitated the transformation of support, love, circumstance and community. Stories act to supportsense of sovereignty, a mode of relinquishing individuals identity and obtaining autonomy. Caren Schnur Neile and David Novak (2013) have mentioned that storytelling among the indigenous culture is passed in a relaxing and quiet environment orally that coincide with official events, like ceremonial practices, rituals and tribal or family community gathering. This is sometimes considered as a way of correcting undesired behavior of the children. At some point, individual characters have conveyed their anxiety over their inefficiency to settle Chinese heritage considering the American surroundings. They expressed anxiety over their cultural identity. A very similar concept has been explained by Shyam Selvadurai in his text the "Funny Boy", which demonstrated constant cultural conflict between Singhalese and Tamils take place in Sri Lanka. Selvadurai expressed about emotional strength of the adolescents. He sometimes feels out of place as his approach towards life varied greatly from the individuals surrounding him. Similar to The joy Luck club, Selvadurai demonstrated how contradictory cultural beliefs could give rise to estrangement and confusion (Tan). The "Funny Boy" explored the subject of homosexuality during early childhood, which is perceptive, emotive and articulates from the heart. Arjie, the character, tolerates bigotry, understands that he is homosexual and expresses his intolerance towards homosexuality (Selvadura i). Complex thoughts if compromise, love and hate senses affect the childhood to a greater extent. Arjie inhabited the symbolic role of a bride. This shows that he is free to admit him as going beyond the restrictions of self and excel to another more beautiful and more brilliant self. The text in the form of storytelling conveyed a message to the readers that there is no language of sexuality, but only neutral and idealized forms. Arjies understanding that he does not belong to either girls or the boys world and caught between these two was a precursor of further recognition of homosexuality that again instilling the moral values of the character. This could exist as same or vary from one culture to another. Davis (2014) in this context have mentioned that more insight towards gender, biological sex, sexual orientation and gender identity enables individuals to relate oneself with other people. Problems with immigrant identity are major focus in English literature because while individuals migrate from one culture or geographical area to another, they bear their expressions and knowledge of anguish along with them (Ferguson). Upon settling down, their original cultural identity is on the verge of change, which stimulates an extent of belonging. They try to settle down by biculturalism or assimilation (Grzymala-Kazlowska). Cultural identity can alter over time as the behavior and belief of people or group may change (Maxwell). Acknowledging breadth of cultural uniqueness is significant to any effort made in order to go beyond the racism that in turn gives rise to an understanding among the diverse cultural groups. The "Funny Boy" is an eye-opener of culturally suitable gender roles and civil strife, which prepares a simple and innocent child to experience boisterous situations in later life. The joy Luck club comprises interwoven stories regarding conflicts between immigrant mothers from China and American-raised daughters and thereby, reflects the cultural clashes. Individual mother-daughter pair put great effort to deal with generational and cultural differences. To the daughters their mothers are overbearing, threatening and old-fashioned. Sequentially, their mothers infuriated that their daughters have poor understanding of culture, satisfaction in simple jobs and attitudes towards men. This shows that individual daughter and mother understand each others perspectives. Cultural identity is significant as it helps individuals to preserve history and create a milieu where individuals feel they fit in. Cultural identity is stimulated by elements like social class, ancestry, family, educationa l level, political opinions and so on. While The joy Luck club focuses onto cultural clashes, the Funny Boy emphasizes on the different perception and understanding of gender and sexuality. Both the selected texts contain small plots based on what the authors have expressed various concerns associated with cultural clashes, immigrant identity, sexism, and so on. But in the present context, storytelling could be a common theme derived from the two selected texts. References Caren Schnur Neile, and David Novak. "Toward a Methodology of Storytelling Performance Criticism".Storytelling, Self, Society9.1 (2013): 129. Davis, Terri M. "Psychology Education Can Foster Exploration and Knowledge of Religion, Spirituality, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Diversity.Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity1.2 (2014): 106-108. Ferguson, Susan J.Race, Gender, Sexuality, Social Class. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, 2013. Print. Grzymala-Kazlowska, A. "Social Anchoring: Immigrant Identity, Security And Integration Reconnected?".Sociology(2015). Maxwell, R. "Occupations, National Identity, and Immigrant Integration".Comparative Political Studies(2016). Rogers, Leoandra Onnie and Andrew N. Meltzoff. "Is Gender More Important And Meaningful Than Race? An Analysis Of Racial And Gender Identity Among Black, White, And Mixed-Race Children.".Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology(2016). Selvadurai, Shyam.Funny Boy. 1997. Tan, Amy.The Joy Luck Club. New York: Putnam's, 1989.