LIT2 Reviewer

WORLD LITERATURE
• A struggle between Western influence and

• Emerged in the 19th century when literary Asian identity.
connections between different countries • This paved way to many works of literature
began to spread inspired by such a struggle of identity.
• This happened about 200 years ago when • Being in a foreign country yet also feeling the
humanity's cultural heritage strengthened and need to belong and not belittled.
we were able to trade works of literature to
different countries
Rules of the Game
Why Do We Study World Literature? This is an excerpt from the 1989 novel (The Joy Luck
Club) written by Amy Tan. The novel talks about life and
• Understand the lives of people from all over the relationships between Chinese immigrant families and
world what they have experienced in a foreign place. The
• Have a world outlook (different perspectives story revolves around a child prodigy named Waverly
and points of view Jong who was named after the place she grew up in:
• Acquaint ourselves with the masterpieces of Waverly Place.
literature
• The relationship between mother and daughter
is highlighted in the excerpt.
• Waverly Jong soon found out she was not just a
THE RULES OF THE GAME regular child but a child prodigy with the talent
of playing chess.
Chinese Immigration to the US Immigration is very • Waverly's mother saw the skill her daughter
common in Asia. Many Asian individuals have possessed and spurred her on. Tensions clash
permanently migrated and settled in different areas of between Waverly and her mother within the
the world. During the early 19th century, a lot of excerpt.
Chinese migrated to the US. There were 3 common
reasons why migration rose around that time.
• They wanted to gain more financially. Reflections of Culture in literary works

• They wanted freedom.
• They wanted to escape British dominance over • Amy Tan, like many other authors who write on culture
China. and identity as their premise, uses glimpses to show the
identity of a certain culture.
The Chinese Exclusion Act and the Magnuson Act • In literature, reflections of culture can be seen
through subtle or blatant signs. Such examples are:
Due to the rise in the number of Chinese immigrants,
the US enacted the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. This slang (the way a person speaks - it may not
act prevents Chinese workers from migrating to the US. even be grammatically correct) e.g. "Wise guy,
Luckily, by 1943, the Magnuson Act was passed (an act he not go against the wind."
that opposed discriminatory laws from the past).
Tradition or outlook in a certain area such as
• Chinese workers helped the US in their leaving one's footwear outside the house
economy during the Civil War. before entering.
• Chinese workers helped provide products that
can be used by American society. Items and objects with localized terms, e.g.
• Chinese workers helped in the dawn of railroad change (a small tablet of red jade which held
building. the sun's fire) or siesta (an afternoon nap)
• To be able to understand the culture in literature, one

Chinese communities in the US must learn to pay attention to simple detail.
From the 19th century until now, there have been

countless of Chinese communities spread all throughout
the US. Character Analysis
How do you understand a character? Moreover, how

do you analyze a character?
Identity and Culture in Chinese Communities
In fiction, characters often carry an interest in the story.
Chinese in America is caught in a struggle of influence Some are written as complex individuals while others
and culture. There is a line drawn between cultivating are simple and predictable. Regardless of how the
their culture and also being open to Western influence. characters are portrayed in the text, there is no denying
Thus, there was a new wave of young Asians whose that these characters are one of the main reasons (if
minds are conflicted between being Westernized but not, THE main reason) why the stories come alive.
still maintaining the values of their lineage.
Ways to Analyzing a Character
Here are simple ways that one can use to analyze a

character in the story. Take note that some stories may
not include ALL the ways to analyze a character as
stated here. Regardless, at least one or two is enough
to give a good analysis of the story.
The Basics
Information that are easily given in the story.
- Age
- Name
- Appearance
The Background
The most crucial part in analyzing a character to be
able to determine whether the character is a
protagonist, antagonist, or both.
- Motive
- How they think
- Insecurities and flaws
The Behavior
Plays a significant role in the development of the
character or in how they act.
- Social standing
- Family background
- Memory/ backstory
Character Analysis
When it comes to analyzing a character, one should
always be open to the fact that this can be subjective.
This relies heavily on the reader's perspective. One
reader may prefer a character over another other but
that does not necessarily mean that the same would
go for another reader. Hence, the reason why
characters become more vivid is because of the
intrinsic connections made by the readers to the text.

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WORLD LITERATURE

• A struggle between Western influence and

• They wanted to gain more financially. Reflections of Culture in literary works

• To be able to understand the culture in literature, one

From the 19th century until now, there have been

How do you understand a character? Moreover, how

Here are simple ways that one can use to analyze a

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