An Immigrant Novel Revisited: Jean Kwok’s Girl in Translation
An Immigrant Novel Revisited: Jean Kwok’s Girl in Translation
Author(s): Brygida GasztoldSubject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature, Other Language Literature, American Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: immigrant narrative genre; adaptation; Jewish-American literature; Chinese-American literature; immigrant women
Summary/Abstract: The article explores the genre of immigrant narrative, comparing two early-twentieth century novels written by the Jewish-American writers Mary Antin and Anzia Yezierska with a contemporary novel penned by the Chinese-American author Jean Kwok. Taking adaptation theory (Sanders 2006 and Hutcheon 2006) as a starting point, I examine how Kwok’s novel adapts, revises, and reimagines a familiar pattern across time and cultures in order to make it representative of Chinese Americans. The analysis draws attention to experiences of Chinese immigrant women, their class membership and socio-economic status.
Journal: Scripta Judaica Cracoviensia
- Issue Year: 2022
- Issue No: 19
- Page Range: 79-92
- Page Count: 14
- Language: English