In the story, “Two Kinds”, Amy Tan writes about a relationship between a mother and a daughter. The mother of Jing-mei wants her daughter to become famous, but Jing-mei just wants to be herself. Tan writes about two songs played by Jing-mei, “Perfectly Contented” and “Pleading Child.” In the story the faster and aggressive song, “Pleading Child”, best represents the mother, and the slower happier song, “Perfectly Contented”, represents Jing-mei.
Jing-mei was happy just being herself, but, unfortunately, her mother expected more. Jing-mei’s mother pushed her to become famous. She thought that was what’s best for Jing-mei. “Just like you,” she said, “Not the best because you are not trying.” (Tan, pg. 35) She tried everything in her power to make Jing-mei talented in some way. She pushes Jing-mei right over the edge.
Jing-mei soon found her true, aggressive nature. Everytime her mother snapped at her to try harder, she snapped back. “For unlike my mother, I did not believe I could do anything I wanted to be. I could only be me.” (Tan, pg. 41) Because of Jing-mei’s different view she and her mother began to fight a lot. The greater they disputed, the farther away they drifted. Until they realized the piano wasn’t only the root of their problems, but the solution as well.
After Jing-mei’s mother dies, in the end, she went back to the piano. Jing-mei began to play the song that caused the breaking point of her relationship with her mother. Then she played the song next to it with great satisfaction. “And after I played them both a few times, I realized they were two halves of the same song.” (Tan, pg. 42) Like the ying-yang and the songs, Jing-mei’s relationship with her mother may seem disastrous and apart, but together they share a strong bond that makes them whole.
The Essay on Jing Mei Mother Story Words
... her mother never considered them failures. The two songs demonstrated how she had experienced two parts of her life. Amy Tans utilization of Jing-Mei ... story can be tied to Jing-Meis ending thought. The piano piece she had struggled to play at the talent show was ... her overbearing mother is unraveled. Instantly there is a closeness felt with Jing-Mei. This is because of the part she plays as a ...
Jing-mei’s determination to stay that she is, is much like the song “Perfectly Contented”, she is satisfied with the way things are. Yet her mother’s pushy, aggressive attitude is a lot like “Pleading Child.” She pushes and begs Jing-mei to cooperate and become famous. Even though the two disagree, like the songs, they form one beautiful song.
