Aiiieeee!, The Voice Of The Other

Asian Americans have been living in the United States for more than 150 years, and have contributed a lot to the economic development of the host society. However, due to the existence of various stereotypes and biases, they have been treated unfairly, and remain an underprivileged group, marginalized by the mainstream society. What is even worse is their "voices" are also silenced into nearly nothing, thus they can't find the means to manifest their feelings to their experience in America. This phenomenon didn't have much change until the 1970s, under the influence of Civil Rights Movement, Asian American racial consciousness began to take form, and several Asian American literary anthologies appeared, among which the most prestigious, but also the most controversial one is, Aiiieeeee!---An Anthology of Asian-American Writers. This anthology focuses on the long-existing prejudices and biases, showing the serious consequences of these views, truthfully manifesting the dilemma Asian Americans are facing. The thesis will conduct a thematic study of the anthology in order to have a clear understanding of the work's social and epochal significance. The analysis will center on three aspects: social injustice, cultural hegemony and Asian American masculinity, with the intention to better perceive various cultural and social aspects Asian Americans were most concerned about at that time, and their longing for the formation of a more tolerant society. The thesis is composed of five chapters.In Chapter One, the author will give a short introduction of the history of Asian American literature and the daring anthology Aiiieeeee!---An Anthology of Asian American Writers. In Chapter Two, the author will give a brief history of hostility Asian American have suffered in America, thus we will see how the works in the anthology will reflect the injustice.In Chapter Three, the author will comment on the cultural manipulation white Americans utilize as the means of cultural control; therefore, we can see the urgency of setting up a true identity for Asian Americans.In Chapter Four, the author will present the long distorted Asian American masculinity, so that we can see the imperativeness of restoring balance in gender politics in American society for Asian Americans. Chapter Five is the Conclusion. As a groundbreaking work in the development of Asian American literature, Aiiieeeee! rediscovered some canons which had been in obscurity before, voiced out the long-suppressed cries Asian American held, and relieved their mental burden, paving the way for the further progress of Asian American literature and the prosperity of Asian American community.