Revolt · Reflection · Recognition

Amy Tan's first novel, The Joy Luck Club, won her international fame and acclaim after its publication in 1989. The Bonesetter's Daughter (2001) is her fourth and successful novel. It is recognized as one of Tan's most remarkable works in America. Similar to her previous novels, The Bonesetter's Daughter continues the theme of the family histories of Chinese-American immigrants and involves mother-daughter relationship and root-seeking consciousness. Ruth's depiction and her mother's autobiography alternate in the novel. Space and time intervene in turns while the two cultural backgrounds switch. At last the mother-daughter reconciliation and the return of Ruth's ethnic emotion are a beautiful scene. By Tan's storytelling of the three female generations who live in different ages and cultural backgrounds, the multiple pressures on them such as sex inequality, racial discrimination and cultural differences can be easily realized by readers. Moreover, Tan displays the survival hardship of the first-generation immigrants represented by LuLing and the marginal situation of the second-generation immigrants represented by Ruth. The transition of the mother-daughter relationship from conflict to reconciliation hints Ruth's emotional change of her Chinese cultural heritage and ethnic identity from revolt to recognition. The transition also reveals the author's major idea of root-seeking and her brand-new attitude toward multi-cultures. We can comprehend Tan's writing impulse to renew and express her cherishing of Chinese culture, Chinese ethnic identity and Chinese root. It is the psychological demand of overseas Chinese women represented by Amy Tan to break their silence, search for self and pursue their spiritual balance.This thesis applies the theory of Identity Founding by Roberta Rubenstein as the theoretical basis to analyze Ruth's cognitive process of her ethnic identity and the identity founding in the American society.The thesis is composed of three chapters: Chapter One explores Ruth's revolt which suggests her loss of identity. The family estrangement is not only caused by mother-daughter generation gaps and cultural differences but also communication barriers between them. Ruth's indelible ethnic qualities and the cultural misunderstanding lead to her marital discord with Art. The mute pain in loss of identity is revealed through the phenomena of Ruth's silence and Aphasia.Chapter Two displays the mental process for Ruth to search for her ethnic identity through her reflection on the life experiences and destinies of the three generations. It is unreasonable for Ruth to throw away her national tradition and cultural heritage in multicultural-coexistent America. As part of her cultural identity, her Chinese cultural traits can not be eliminated. It is essential for Chinese-American immigrants to respect and treat the different cultures with an equally attitude.Chapter Three manifests the process of Ruth's construction of identity though her recognition of her Chineseness. The mother-daughter reconciliation and self- affirmation bring Ruth new vitality. Life contradictions are hence overcome in succession. Ruth began to regain her confidence and attain her discourse by writing which provides the courage for Chinese-Americans to break their silence.