Character+Analysis

Johnny Dennis 4-26-10 Pearl-Pearl is the daughter of a Chinese immigrant and a Chinese American. She is married to a man named Phil and has two daughters named Tessa and Cleo. Her relationship with Phil is somewhat strained, and her relationship with her daughters is average. Her relatoinship with her mother, Winnie is strained, and they often argue. Pearl is also very intelligent. Pearl also expresses curiousity when her mother tells the legend of the Kitchen God. She shows pride, sometimes to the point of arrogance. This is shown when she bristles at her mother's scoldings. She is the Librarian archetype.

Winnie- Winnie, who is Pearl's mother, is caring, but brisk. She always starts a conversation like an argument. She is one of the immigrants who came to America after China was dominated by Communism. There as a child, she was loved by her first mother, but disliked by her stepmother. As an adult, she lies about her half-brother's wife being her sister-in-law since his death in the war, to the point where she believes it as well. In reality, they were married without her knowing, and he died before the war. She is the Nurturer arcehtype. In America, her relationship with Pearl is strained. She clash, often to the point where they refuse to cooperate.

Auntie Helen-She is the "sister-in-law" of Pearl's mother. She is intelligent, and nurturing. She has three children, Mary, Frank and Bao-Bao.

Mary is Pearl's cousin. They have a close relationship when they were younger, though, now they have had some arguments. This is due to Mary criticizing Pearl for becoming pregnant soon after marrying. Frank is very sensitive, and curious about life in China. This is expressed when he asks about why they live in America. Bao-Bao is the youngest in the family. He is described of as spoiled and infantile when he was young, which is why the family calls him that name, which means "precious baby". As an adult, he has been married and divorced more than once. Samuel is Pearl's older brother who is a college graduate. He lives in New Jersey and works there. He shows no negative traits.

4-30-10

In flashback, Peanut is Winnie's cousin. She is spoiled, though this is only because she is "the youngest in the family"(Tan 192). At Winnie's wedding, she tries to stop the wedding, by telling Winnie about people who get married and have difficulties with the marriages.

Win Fu-Win Fu is Winnie's first husband. She married him against her family's wishes. At first the marriage was happy, but aftreward, he expected her to work for him. This causes Winnie to compare her marriage to him as being "like being the Kitchen God's wife", whom, according to Chinese legend, was also forced to do work for her husband (Tan 314).

202-296 (Thuy) Shan Nao (Claire Chennault)- He teaches the pilots to fly. He is confident and optimistic that the war is theirs to take. "With your help, we won't be sending the Japanese back to Japan, but to kingdom" (Tan 204). He could be compared to people who are confident in what they do and are self-assured.

The Stuck-up girl- She is a complainer. Nothing seems to be good enough for her and she only wants the best of things, even so it may not satisfy her. "...a stuck-up girl who complained about every little thing..." (Tan 212). She is very much like the whiners. Although somethings may not be as bad as she thinks, she complains and gripes about it.

Jiaguo- He is a sincere person. He understands what he has done wrong and tries to atone for it. "he was so sorry, so sad" (Tan 231). He has an infinite amount of tolerance. He says nothing as his wife nags on him in front of everyone surrounding him and he is their leader. He seems like the person you know that is always quiet and stands for anything, but always on a verge of bursting one day.

Gan- He seems like a person to try to make the best out of any situation whether it be good or bad. "He always laughed..." (Tan 250). He has a sense of humor that is comfortable and everyone laughs along with him. "He made good jokes, never pushing anyone else down to make somebody laugh" (Tan 250). He is also kind and considerate, thinking of others not just himself and trying to bring in others in the fun. He "...played chicken-feather ball with me, while Wen Fu and the others played cards or mah jong in the evening" (Tan 251). He resembles the guy best friend. You run to him in time of need or just as a comforting factor.

Wan Betty- She is a strong-willed person, not the type to sit back and watch others take over her life. "I ask you, why should I go there and let them treat me so bad?" (Tan 262). She is also a person that is not afraid of danger and does not run away from it. When the war came to Nanking, she stayed while the others had ran away. She would be the person that pushes you to take action and shape up.

Pages 297-398 (Thuy) The Inspector's Wife- She is the person that orders everyone around thinking she is the big cheese even if her position is not so great. "She was very bossy" (Tan 299). She would be your boss who orders around and is not very well liked by her workers.

The Servant Girl- She is hard-working and uncomplaining. " 'You are an excellent servant, never lazy, and deserving of even more money, I think' " (Tan 327). She is also scared and giving in to Wen Fu's desires. She is the person you know that would just go along with anything although reluctantly. She would be the book worm in your class and one always studying.

Yiku- WeiWei's baby. She is intelligent for her age and observing. She is quick to learn. For example, when her father first struck to make her stop crying, she would never again cry in his presence. If she grew up, she would be similar to the person you know who is always looking and taking things in. She would be silent about her discoveries and keep her feelings to herself, but always willing to lend a comforting hand.

Danru- WeiWei's first baby boy. He is hard to dislike and already he seems to be a sensitive type of person. "So you see, I knew Danru would grow up to be a good person, someone kind, trusting, concerned for others." (Tan 358). He is the good friend you can rely on, talk to, and trust.

Min- She is a blunt person, speaking whatever she likes and whenever. She is also an enjoyable person to be with, cheerful and enthusiastic. "Actually, she was the one who asked me to instruct her on lady manners" (Tan 351). She is willing to learn how to be less rude in order to please others. She is a person you know that would not be afraid to express herself, but not wanting to anger others nor is she vulgar.

Aunt Du- She is an old woman who has lost everything because of the war. She had come to find Helen, her niece. "Her face became soft and sad" (Tan 341). Her sadness over her lost is clearly written on her expression.

Jimmy Louie- He is friendly, he has an ease with words, humorous, and witty. For example, while everyone shrank away, he is comfortable with the Americans and talked to them in a friendly manner. (Tan 388). He is the guy everyone wants to be friends with. He is popular, but kind to everyone around him and stands up for the underdog.

Pages 399-End (Thuy) The Servant (WeiWei father's servant)- She wears a jolly expression although her master's household is coming apart. " 'Good, very good,' the servant said with a big smile" (Tan 412). She is the brave servant when all has left due to the unfortunate that has struck them. She can be compared to the person that no matter what happens, they always wear a big smile to lessen the worries of others.

San Ma- She is a woman that likes a good reputation and she is not materialistic. When her husband has become a traitor in order to keep his factories running smoothly, she is disappointed and angered. " 'Again I shouted at your father-'So this is why you have became a traitor!' " (Tan 416). She is the friend with unwavering loyalty to one side. She is always going to be sticking to that side, never wanting the title of traitor.

Little Yu's Mother- After tragedy has struck her daughter, she is devoted to helping women get out of their miserable marriages. She is the mother-like figure caring for all the lost souls and taking them under her wing. " 'Ask Little Yu's mother. She's downstairs, cooking the noonday meal for all the women of this house who have already left their marriages' " (Tan 452). She could be compared to Mother Goose or someone like a mother.

Wen Fu's mother- She is almost just like Wen Fu. She has a temper and nor is she sympathetic. "So you see, maybe that mother passed her bad temper onto her son" (Tan 419). " 'That old woman never feels well,' said Wen Fu's mother in an unkind voice. 'She has an ailment to match every herb grown on this earth' " (Tan 461-462).