Are You Listening to Your Soul?

In the story "A Pair of Tickets" by Amy Tan (1985) the author writes about the experiences of Jing - mei, an American girl born to Chinese immigrants. In the story we see Jing - mei coming to terms with her dual lineage and her awakening as a Chinese woman. Although we get the impression that she is resistant to this awakening she does seem to embrace her Chinese lineage by the end of the story. Why? Is she responding to some predetermined social programming provided by her parents, her blood, or, is it a deeper - almost soulful reaction? Let's explore these thoughts as expressed within the story.

It is important to address Jing - mei's history in this story. She was born in America and has frequently and vehemently denied being Chinese, "when I was fifteen and had vigorously denied that I had any Chinese whatsoever below my skin." (Tan, 306) There are several instances throughout the story where she reflects on interactions with her mother and her mothers' persistence that she is indeed Chinese, "Someday you will see," said my mother. "It is in your blood, waiting to be let go." (Tan, 306) However we come to understand that she doesn't see herself as Chinese when she compares herself to her mother. "Being color-blind to the fact that lemon yellow and pale pink are not good combinations for winter clothes." (Tan, 307) We learn early on in this story that her mother has died and she is reflecting about her relationship with her mother. "That she died because I didn't appreciate her." (Tan, 311) Jing - mei's mother had fled China during World War II and in the process had to leave behind Jing - mei's older sisters. Long believed dead the sisters are rediscovered at the very moment Jing - mei's mother dies. While traveling to China to visit her older sisters Jing - mei begins to readdress her Chinese lineage - let's explore how her travels begin to affect her thinking.

"The minute our train leaves the Hong Kong border and enters Shenzhen, China, I feel different." (Tan, 306) Jing - mei is 36 years old and has never been to China, why would she feel Chinese? "And I think, my mother was right. I am becoming Chinese." (Tan, 306) Is this connection to being Chinese something fostered by her parents or does it come from some association born of her blood, or even her soul? Jing - mei struggles herself to understand her current feelings. "I think about what my mother said, about activating my genes and becoming Chinese, and I wonder what she meant." (Tan, 320) Is this transformation encouraged and goaded into beginning because she is meeting members of the family who still live in China? Jing - mei is traveling with her father and is affected by his enthusiasm for returning to China, even though he is 72 years old he is reminding her of a young excitable boy. "Now he look's like