Asian Culture in America "Crack Essay

Total Length: 1026 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

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Page 1 of 3

Cho's physical movement from Korea to the actual location of Dick's home dissipates the illusion of his wealth. The blind children who remain in Korea are able to maintain their illusion, as those who have seen the reality choose not to reveal this to them.

It therefore appears that illusion is only possible by physical removal. Dick's disposition in Korea appears to indicate that he deludes even himself into believing in a certain American image. His return to reality is both physical and mental; hence the distinct difference in his personality from that in Korea. So different is this personality that Cho briefly entertains the idea that he might be a brother rather than Dick himself.

Ultimately, Cho recognizes that the illusion is irreparably broken, and that he would do better to pursue his own goals in the United States. The unbroken coconut he sends the blind children represents perpetual and self-imposed illusion -- they choose not to break the mystery.

3.

The story "Gussuk" by Mei Evans relates the adventures of a Chinese-American girl, Lucy when she works as a health professional in an Alaskan village. Never having been to Alaska before, Lucy begins her work with great enthusiasm. Initially she enjoys her work and makes easy friends with the natives. Indeed, the ethnic similarities at the beginning appear to be more than the differences.

The most prominent racial terminology used in the story is also its title, "Gussuk," a term used to refer to white people. The Alaskans regard Lucy as one of them, and at first she makes a marked attempt to perpetuate this sense of belonging.
Her sense of identity however shifts as soon as Robert, who is married to Esther, begins to make advances towards her. Her final sense of belonging in the village occurs on the day he first attempts to touch her hand. She remarks to Robert that the mountains remind her of a calendar picture, and that she feels as if she is home. Robert, on the other hand, feels that there is a distinct lack of space.

When Robert begins to make a nuisance of himself at her home, she begins to lock her door, and her identity begins to set itself apart from the rest of the villagers. Here, she begins to feel that she is not one of them, and that she needs to look out for herself. As Robert's advances begin to intensify, her feelings of belonging to the Gussuk category rather than the Alaskans continue to grow.

Lucy's repeated attempts to explain to Robert that it would be wrong to have a relationship appear to be fruitless until they finally do have a sexual encounter. Lucy's visit to Mercy's home after the fourth of July party also appears to indicate that the pervading morals in the village do not match her own. This further exacerbates her feelings of belonging elsewhere. While Robert finally does leave her alone, the separation of Lucy's identity from the village is complete, and she leaves as soon as….....

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