In the first chapter "No Name Woman" the narrator is telling the story from the point of view of a young girl. This young girl states that she has "tried to turn myself American-feminine" (11). Before she makes this statement we receive a brief description of the narrator's idea of Chinese-feminine, "not pigeon-toed which is Chinese-feminine" (11). In the story the narrator's mother tells we also see examples of Chinese femininity. The aunt commits suicide with her illegitimate child rather than face the stigma and dishonor of her family (5). When Moon Orchid comes to America for the first time she comments on how Brave Orchid's children are not demure, instead, "They looked directly into her eyes as if they were looking for lies. Rude. Accusing. They never lowered their gaze; they hardly blinked" (133). The idea that women were supposed to be seen not heard is definitely an example of Chinese femininity.
American femininity in contrast seems to be more along the lines of being outspoken. Femininity for the narrator being a collection of women from American movies she sees as well as "Walking erect (knees straight, toes pointed forward . . .) and speaking in an inaudible voice" (11). These two sides of the narrator's being seem to clash as she fights to decide which category she falls into.
There are even points where the lines between the Chinese and American femininity blur. Brave Orchid becoming a doctor on her own and starting her own practice would definitely fall into the American femininity category and yet she does this in China. Even Brave Orchid's insistence that Moon Orchid claim her rightful place as the First Wife seem to carry many American ideals--a strong outspoken female.
The narrator is not the only character in The Woman Warrior who crosses the lines and has trouble distinguishing between what is Chinese-feminine and American-feminine.
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