In American Born Chinese, Gene Luen Yang uses comedic art to retell an ancient story that many Chinese children may have heard growing up. He takes an ancient tale and spins it in another way, creating a story that is interesting to those who have heard it before and people who have never heard of the story.
Although steeped in tradition, he adds elements from the present, as seem with the attitude of the “bouncer” at the entrance to the party, kindly asking the monkey king to step aside for a moment. He also appeals to modern readers’ violent side by exaggerating small fights by recreating them as full blown violence. These elements combine together to provide an introduction that is witty, humorous and informative of an ancient Chinese tale.
3 comments:
Integrating implications of present day culture makes Yang's story relatable to a wider audience. As a young reader, the bouncer situation was indeed humorous, while perhaps the beginning scene with the deities may have been more humorous to an older audience that more likely is acquainted with older Chinese culture. Exaggerating the fight scene does seem to reach out to a younger audience as well, while the underlying Chinese tale ties the story back to ancient roots. It is an effective way to open the story, and, again, appeals to a wide range of people.
I thought your analysis was effective. Your main idea seems to be that Gene Luen Yang retold an ancient Chinese story and made it set in the present. You prove your point by listing specific elements from the story that had been modernized and ended with the overall impression this caused for reader of the story.
I agree that he does add elements that make the ancient story more modern. He really knows how to appeal to today's readers as you said. The examples you had to prove your point were also good.
Many, particulary Asians, can relate to the folktale...the younger generation with the violence... and so on.
The author does a good job of keeping things interesting, different, and humorous to engage the audience.
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