The Artistic Similarities Between Kingston’s The Woman Warrior And Hwang’s FOB

Maxine Hong Kingston and David Henry Hwang are two major writers in contemporary Chinese American literature. The publication of The Woman Warrior and FOB inaugurated their successful writing careers. In fact, they enjoy many similarities: being American-born Chinese, well educated in literature in American top universities and mutual appreciations. These may help to better understand their artistic similarities in The Woman Warrior and FOB.Based on close reading of Kingston’s The Woman Warrior and Hwang’s FOB, this thesis analyzes the artistic similarities between the two writers and explores their aspirations to subvert the stereotypes of Chinese Americans by American mainstream society as well as to revive the community.While inheriting the traditional Chinese American writing methods, Kingston and Hwang manage to break through the conventions and display artistic originalities by using modern writing devices, such as juxtaposition and collage. Additionally, they explore themes, such as the conflicts between Chinese immigrants and American-born Chinese, and the pursuits of American identity by Chinese Americans, making a contribution to expounding and enriching Chinese American literature. By returning to the cultural tradition, the storytelling in their works, they break the silence of Chinese Americans in American mainstream society. Meanwhile, because of the significant role Chinese American females exert within the Chinese community, the two writers try to establish the positive image of Chinese American women in their works.