Patriarchal Effects on Immigrant Women: A Comparison of Amy Tan’s “The Moon Lady” and Maxine Hong Kingston’s “No Name Woman” By Tristan Tyson Faculty Mentor: Dr. Maren Clegg-Hyer, Department of English
Article Abstract: The issues faced by immigrants in new countries vary and can be exacerbated by social factors relative to one’s respective parent country. In the instance of immigrant women, specifically those from China, these cultural factors can lead to an innumerable number of social obstacles. Instances of these obstacles are present in cross-cultural works such as “The Moon Lady” from Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club and “No Name Woman” from Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Warrior Woman. Cultural differences that are further strained from one generation to the next can cause resentment toward women from other women. This resentment creates a space where women are systematically silenced in a parent culture, and this practice is often carried over into the new culture via immigration. The silencing of women often leads to more unjust circumstances such as violent acts. With this combination of social and cultural factors, it is evident that Asian immigrant women will face identity issues and crises after immigrating or after being born to first-generation immigrant parents. The problems exacerbated by the patriarchy that these immigrant Chinese women encounter include women receiving harsh treatment from other women, violence against women being condoned, generational silencing of women’s voices, and instances of confusion that lead to identity crises. 109
