American Born Chinese

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

The United States is frequently referred to as a land of immigrants. Based on your knowledge, what does the word immigration mean? What are some of the effects of a variety of cultures and customs on a society?

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Answer question orients students to the sociological perspective of the graphic novel. Yang uses relatable and interesting content to explore the treatment of first- and second-generation immigrants living in the US. Students should understand that the term “American” can be seen as a compilation of nationalities, ethnicities, and races from around the world. However, despite a multi-faceted American identity, many communities are discriminated against, systematically and socially. For example, Asian Americans have been subjected to difficult living and working conditions and limited access to education, property, and protection of human rights since first immigrating to the US in the 19th century. This question relates to the themes of Otherness and the Effects of Racism and Discrimination and Identity and the Limitations of Transformation. After initial discussion, students might explore possible meanings of these newly introduced themes.