Dragon Cafe Essay

1436 Words6 Pages
Immigrant Experience in Different Generations “Midnight at the Dragon Café”, by Judy Fong Bates, shows the immigrant life of a young Chinese girl, Su-Jen’s family in Canada as a white community’s solitary Chinese family. Through Su-Jen’s eyes, the longing, sacrifice, saving face and the culture conflict themes of the book are revealed. The book represents the hard life behind the scenes at the Dragon Café due to the immigrant experience; both Su-Jen’s parents struggle against their lives and they do not get their ideal lives as return; however, the reason why Su-Jen having an uneasy life is not that she has entangled personal notions; she struggles from her parents’ struggles, and finally she gets through all these difficulties, and gains the life which she wants to have. Thus, immigrant experience is always full of struggles; however, it is much easier for younger generation to get through the tough time and gain the expected life in a foreign land. Su-Jen’s father, Hing-Wun, sacrifices everything for his family, and he struggles at the same time; these struggles continue in his whole life. Hing-Wun works so hard in the Dragon café to make money for his family, and he does not spend a single penny on himself; but his great efforts do not acquire a better future for himself. Even though he keeps working like a horse in his seventies for his family, his wife still complains about him and does not appreciate his attitudes towards life. Hing-Wun is such a kind man who always considers about his wife and he tells Su-Jen to think of and understand her mother’s situation. Therefore, Hing-Wun’s struggle against his hard work for his family is in vain. Moreover, Hing-Wun stuggles against loneliness; he does not have a friend except his business partner, Uncle Yat; but Uncle Yat leaves Irvine to live with his son. Since Hing-Wun’s only friend leaves, he becomes

More about Dragon Cafe Essay

Open Document