Deconstruction And Reconstruction: The Identities In "White Tigers"

America as a "melting pot" draws people of different races. Gradually, American culture has come into being with various cultures involved. However, it never means that the alien cultures have been totally assimilated while they also retain their own features.Scholars hold different opinions. Some think Chinese American literature refer to the works written by those who have been in America some time but others think the works must be written by those who were born in America. We can conclude that Chinese American literature include these three meanings: First, the works should be parts of the American literature. Second, the works should be about the struggling experiences of Chinese American people. Third, the most important, the works should be written by the descendents of the Chinese living in America. They know Chinese culture from their elders and they learn American culture at school. So their identity is not based on any single culture and it's different from any set definition. The famous Chinese American writer Maxine Hong Kingston is one of those seeking Chinese American identity. In the "White Tigers", through the deconstruction of the traditional Mulan image, Kingston explores Chinese American identity. The thesis is composed of three parts: Chapter One begins with an introduction to Chinese American. This minority group owns their particular culture background. So this is a key element in the Chinese American writers' writings. Many Chinese American writers explore their particular identity. Kingston is one of the most famous writers. Chapter two explores deconstruction theory. This is a popular but complicate literary theory. It's hard to give a definite definition. So there are several approaches to achieve this practical theory. Chapter three analyzes the "White Tigers". Through the deconstruction of the traditional Mulan image, the writer recreate a new image which she thinks representing the proper Chinese American image. In the recreation of the legendary figure, the writer reconstruct the new type female image which challenging the submissive type. Kingston is reconstructing Chinese American identity rather than deconstructing the traditional image. She is challenging the single identity and exploring a new definition which is closer to the reality.