The Woman Warrior

‘The Woman Warrior’ is a novel that conveys the integration of two very contrasting cultures and the narrator’s journey to finding her place as a first generation Chinese American. Chinese and American femininity are extremely significant in the cultural divide that is presented within the novel, the narrator is constantly reminded by her mother of how not to behave, for instance the first fable of the ‘The No Name Woman’ is a essentially a tale of the narrators Aunt whom is shunned and punished to such an extreme for having an illegitimate child. This story reinforces how traditionally in Chinese culture are expected to behave in a certain way and are often suppressed by the male dominated society. Our narrator tries to justify the actions of The No Name Woman, perhaps so she can understand the reason for her punishment.

Whereas, the tale of Fu Mu Lan conveys the story of a strong, independent woman, in my opinion, this fable appeals to the narrator so much because it represents her very own independence as a first generation Chinese American, or a “good fortune ghost” (p.204). Although the narrator faces a level of isolation and prejudice against her for being different, she begins to become more social and americanized. Although in some ways, there is still this influence of elder Chinese family members who honor their traditions such as the “Maggot Grandfather” (p.191). However, the narrator has essentially become her own version of Fu Mu Lan as she has embraced her independence in the Western World who is destined to make her own ending: “The ending, mine.” (p.206)