Comparison Paragraph

In the short story Two Kinds by Amy Tan, with the use of epiphany and turning points the contributor is able to see the protagonists growth and convince in personality throughout the story. The protagonist, Jing-Mei and her mother emigrated from China to the US, thus the family struggled in adapting to the new stopping point and lifestyle. Heavily influenced by the opportunities and hopes with a new life in US, Jing-Meis mother wanted Jing-Mei to become a prodigy same the other girls on television. Jing-Mei was determined and eager to prove to her mother she was a prodigy, and thereby had full confidence in herself.She believed her mother and father would adore her and shed be beyond reproach. (pg4). As Jing-Meis mother quizzed Jing-Mei with countless questions and tests, Jing-Mei started getting frustrated by her mothers disappointments and something inside her began to die (pg 5). But at the same time when she stood in front of the mirror the girl staring back at her was angry , powerful. (pg 5) and she saw what seemed to be a prodigy inside of her (pg 5). Jing-Meis mother then encouraged Jing-Mei to mold piano and perform in a talent show.When Jing-Meis turn came, she was confident and thought without a doubt, that the prodigy inside of her really did exist (pg 7). However, as she started playing she was surprised when she hit the first wrong note. And then hit another and another (pg 7). In the end, Jing-Meis performance was nothing like she pass judgment she felt the shame of her mother and father as they sat stiffly through the rest of the show (pg 7). After the talent show, Jing-Meis was devastated and decided she was never going to play piano anymore she could never be the prodigy or girlfriend her mother wants her to be.As a consequence Jing-Mei starts to follow her admit path, she did not believe that she could be anything she wanted to be, she could only be her (pg 9). She blamed most of her misery on her mother. This this significance chang e in attitude portrays profoundly how turning points in life alters a persons perspective and persona. Short story The Stolen Party by Liliana Hecker similarly shows how turning points can change in the way a person view things and their initial personality. In Stolen Party the protagonist, Rosaura just like Jing-Mei had full confidence in herself.She believed she was invited to a fellowship as a guest, she firmly declares shes been invited because Luciana is her friend (pg 11). However, her mother, who is a maid for Lucianas family warns Rosaura that Luciana is not her friend (pg 11) and that Rosaura is only recognized as the maids daughter. Her mother also advises Rosaura not to go the part because its a rich peoples party (pg 11). Rosaura disregards her mother and attends the party anyways. At the party, Rosaura is enured like a guest and asked to participate in the activities, she also received a delightful compliment from the magician.This made Rosaura proud and encouraged. When the party ended, Senora Ines were gaving out beg and blue bags to the the guests at the party. Roasaura expected Senora Ines to also hand her the goodie, but when it was her turn Senora Ines didnt look in the pink bag. Nor did she look in the blue bag. Instead she rummaged in her purse. In her hand appeared two bills. (pg 14). Rosaura has an epiphany, she realizes she wasnt invited as a guest to the party, but rather as a servant to help out like a Senora Ines pet (pg 14).Just like Jing-Mei, Rosauras perspective changes instantly. She suddenly understands what her mother has been trying to teach her and is now well aware of her position and loving status, and so she instinctively press herself against her mothers body (pg 14) for support. This shows the difference in her initial personality. In conclusion, in Two Kinds and The Stolen Party the protagonists turning points and epiphanies play a significant role in the altering of their perspective and persona.