Please take a moment to complete this survey below
Library's collection Library's IT development CancelThis thesis primarily deals with Amy Tan?s work The Hundred Secret Senses
which vividly pictures Olivia?s confusion as the second generation of Chinese-American
toward her "Chineseness". The most striking point that I note in this novel
is the problem of confusion toward the "Chineseness" that Olivia faces while being
trapped in two cultures, Chinese and American. In relevance to this, I intend to
discuss the factors that lead Olivia to the confusion of her "Chineseness" and how
Olivia finally overcomes her confusion. Therefore, this thesis is aimed to analyze the
factors that lead to Olivia?s confusion toward her "Chineseness" and how she
eventually overcomes her confusion. Furthermore, I use library research to get data
for the analysis. In order to do the analysis, I use the literary approach focusing on
characterization and conflict supported by the concept of Chinese cultural patterns,
American cultural patterns, the Chinese-American?s ways of life, and the concept of
self-identity. After doing the analysis of The Hundred Secret Senses, I find that the
major factor that leads Olivia to the confusion toward her "Chineseness" is caused by
Kwan?s arrival and her influence to Olivia?s life, and the society?s prejudice toward
Olivia. However, Olivia through her journey to China eventually able to overcome
her confusion and accept her "Chineseness". This journey also brings her to the
understanding of her "Chineseness", which also brings her to the reconciliation with
her "Chineseness". As a whole, through the analysis, I find that Olivia is finally able
to mix the culture of these two different worlds, China and America, and adapt their
culture partially. I also find that Olivia is also able to reconcile with her
"Chineseness". This finding leads me to the conclusion that Olivia is able to
overcome her confusion toward her "Chineseness" and accept it as uniqueness.