Download A Pair of Tickets pdf: A Moving Story of Chinese-American Identity and Heritage by Amy Tan

A Pair of Tickets pdf: A Short Story by Amy Tan

A Pair of Tickets is a short story by Amy Tan, an American writer of Chinese descent. It was first published in 1989 as the final chapter of her novel The Joy Luck Club, which explores the lives and relationships of four Chinese-American mothers and their daughters. The story follows Jing-mei Woo, a thirty-six-year-old woman who travels to China with her father to meet her half-sisters for the first time. Along the way, she learns more about her mother's past, her cultural heritage, and herself.

A Pair Of Tickets Pdf

Summary of A Pair of Tickets pdf

The story begins with Jing-mei and her father Canning boarding a train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, China. Jing-mei feels nervous and excited about meeting her sisters, whom she has only seen in a photograph. She also feels a strange sense of belonging as she enters China, despite having grown up in America.

Jing-mei recalls how her mother Suyuan had told her about her sisters before she died. Suyuan had been married to a military officer in China during World War II, and had given birth to twin girls. When the Japanese invaded their city, Suyuan had to flee with her babies, but she became ill and had to leave them by the roadside with a note and some valuables. She hoped that someone would find them and take care of them until she could return. However, she never saw them again, and later remarried and moved to America.

Suyuan always hoped to find her daughters someday, but she died before she could. After her death, Canning received a letter from a friend who had located the twins in Shanghai. He decided to take Jing-mei with him to China to fulfill Suyuan's wish.

On the train, Jing-mei meets an old woman named Aiyi, who turns out to be Canning's aunt. She tells Jing-mei stories about her father's childhood and his family history. She also gives Jing-mei some advice on how to behave in China.

When they arrive in Guangzhou, they are greeted by Canning's cousin and his family. They take them to a hotel, where they have a lavish dinner. Jing-mei is surprised by the generosity and hospitality of her relatives. She also notices how much they resemble her father.

The next day, they fly to Shanghai, where they meet Jing-mei's sisters at the airport. Jing-mei feels an instant connection with them, as if they had known each other all their lives. They hug and cry, and call each other by their Chinese names. Jing-mei realizes that she looks like them, too, and that she has inherited her mother's spirit.

Themes and Symbols in A Pair of Tickets pdf

Identity and Heritage

One of the main themes of the story is the search for one's identity and heritage. Jing-mei has always felt conflicted about her Chinese-American identity, as she grew up in a different culture from her parents. She was embarrassed by her mother's behavior and beliefs, and did not understand her expectations. She also did not know much about her mother's life in China, or her own family history.

However, when she travels to China, she begins to feel a sense of belonging and connection with her roots. She sees the similarities between herself and her relatives, both physically and emotionally. She learns more about her mother's past, and how it shaped her personality and values. She also discovers that she has a part of her mother in her, and that she can honor her memory by embracing her heritage.

Family and Relationships

Another theme of the story is the importance of family and relationships. Jing-mei has always had a complicated relationship with her mother, who died before they could resolve their differences. She felt that her mother did not understand or appreciate her, and that she could never live up to her standards. She also resented her mother for keeping secrets from her, such as the existence of her sisters.

However, when she meets her sisters, she realizes that they are a part of her family, too, and that they share a bond that transcends time and distance. She feels that they are the missing pieces of her life, and that they can help her heal from her loss. She also understands that her mother loved her deeply, and that she wanted to reunite with her daughters before she died. She feels grateful for the opportunity to fulfill her mother's dream, and to reconnect with her family.

Travel and Transformation

A third theme of the story is the impact of travel and transformation on one's life. Jing-mei undergoes a significant change when she visits China, as she experiences a different culture, meets new people, and learns new things. She also changes internally, as she gains a new perspective on herself, her mother, and her heritage. She becomes more confident, open-minded, and compassionate.

The story also shows how travel can transform one's relationships with others. Jing-mei's father also reconnects with his sister, whom he had not seen for decades. He becomes more emotional and expressive, as he shares his memories and feelings with Jing-mei. He also becomes more supportive and proud of Jing-mei, as he sees how much she resembles his wife.

Analysis of A Pair of Tickets pdf

Literary Devices in A Pair of Tickets pdf

Amy Tan uses various literary devices to enhance the story and convey its themes. Some of these devices are:

• Imagery: Tan uses vivid descriptions of the settings, characters, and events to create a realistic picture of China and its culture. For example, she describes the train station as "a loud buzzing mass of people wearing identical blue Mao jackets and pants", the hotel as "a pink neon castle", and the sisters as "two moon-faced girls dressed in identical red sweaters".

• Irony: Tan uses irony to create contrast between what is expected and what actually happens in the story. For example, Jing-mei expects to feel like a foreigner in China, but she feels more at home than ever. She also expects to have nothing in common with her sisters, but she finds out that they have many similarities.

• Foreshadowing: Tan uses foreshadowing to hint at what will happen later in the story. For example, when Jing-mei sees the photograph of her sisters for the first time, she feels "a peculiar sensation" in her chest, which foreshadows the emotional reunion that will take place at the end.

• Symbolism: Tan uses symbolism to represent abstract ideas or concepts through concrete objects or images. For example, the pair of tickets symbolizes Jing-mei's journey to China and to herself; the photograph symbolizes Jing-mei's connection with her sisters; and the make-up symbolizes Jing-mei's mask of American identity that falls off when she arrives in China.

Cultural Context of A Pair of Tickets pdf

Amy Tan reflects the historical and social background of China and America in the story, as she draws from her own personal and family experiences as a Chinese-American woman. Some of the historical and social aspects that she incorporates in the story are:

• The Chinese Civil War and the Communist Revolution: The story mentions how Suyuan had to flee from her hometown of Kweilin in 1944, when the Japanese army invaded during World War II. She also had to leave behind her first husband, who was fighting for the Nationalist government against the Communists. After the war, China was divided into two states: the People's Republic of China (PRC) under Mao Zedong, and the Republic of China (ROC) under Chiang Kai-shek. The PRC claimed sovereignty over mainland China and Taiwan, while the ROC controlled Taiwan and some offshore islands. The two sides continued to fight until 1950, when they agreed to a ceasefire. However, they never formally ended the war, and they remained hostile and isolated from each other for decades.

• The Chinese Exclusion Act and the Immigration Act of 1965: The story also refers to how Suyuan immigrated to America in 1949, after marrying Canning, who was an American citizen. She was one of the few Chinese women who were allowed to enter the country at that time, as most Chinese immigration was banned by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. This law was enacted to prevent Chinese laborers from competing with white workers for jobs and wages. It also denied citizenship and naturalization to Chinese immigrants, and prohibited them from marrying white people. The law was repealed in 1943, but only a quota of 105 Chinese immigrants per year was allowed until 1965. The Immigration Act of 1965 abolished the quota system and opened the doors for more Asian immigration based on family reunification and professional skills.

• The Cultural Revolution and the Open Door Policy: The story also depicts how China underwent drastic political and social changes in the second half of the 20th century. From 1966 to 1976, Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution, a campaign to purge the country of any elements that he considered bourgeois, capitalist, or counter-revolutionary. He mobilized millions of young people, known as Red Guards, to attack and destroy anything that represented traditional culture, religion, or authority. Many people were persecuted, tortured, or killed during this period of chaos and violence. After Mao's death in 1976, his successor Deng Xiaoping initiated a series of reforms that aimed to modernize China's economy and society. He adopted an Open Door Policy that encouraged foreign trade and investment, and allowed more contact and exchange with the outside world.

Critical Reception of A Pair of Tickets pdf

Amy Tan's story has been widely praised by critics and readers for its literary merit and cultural significance. Some of the aspects that have been commended are:

• The narrative structure: The story is told from Jing-mei's point of view, using a combination of flashbacks, dialogue, and description. The story alternates between Jing-mei's present journey to China and her past memories of her mother. This creates a sense of suspense and anticipation, as well as a contrast between Jing-mei's American and Chinese identities.

• The character development: The story portrays Jing-mei as a complex and dynamic character who undergoes a transformation throughout the story. She starts as a skeptical and insecure woman who does not feel connected to her mother or her heritage. She ends as a confident and compassionate woman who embraces her family and her culture. She also develops a deeper understanding and appreciation of her mother, who is revealed as a strong and resilient woman who endured many hardships and sacrifices.

• The theme exploration: The story explores various themes that are relevant to both Chinese-American and universal experiences. These include identity and heritage, family and relationships, travel and transformation, loss and reconciliation, memory and history, culture and diversity.

Conclusion

A Pair of Tickets pdf is a short story by Amy Tan that tells the story of Jing-mei Woo, a Chinese-American woman who travels to China with her father to meet her half-sisters for the first time. Along the way, she learns more about her mother's past, her cultural heritage, and herself. The story is a part of Tan's novel The Joy Luck Club, which explores the lives and relationships of four Chinese-American mothers and their daughters. The story uses various literary devices, such as imagery, irony, foreshadowing, and symbolism, to enhance the story and convey its themes. The story also reflects the historical and social background of China and America in the 20th century, as it draws from Tan's own personal and family experiences as a Chinese-American woman. The story has been widely praised by critics and readers for its literary merit and cultural significance.

FAQs

• What is the significance of the title A Pair of Tickets?

The title A Pair of Tickets symbolizes Jing-mei's journey to China and to herself. It represents her dual identity as a Chinese-American woman, and her connection with her sisters, who are also a pair. It also suggests that she is traveling with her father, who is also a part of her heritage.

• What is the role of Aiyi in the story?

Aiyi is Canning's aunt, who meets Jing-mei and her father on the train to Guangzhou. She plays the role of a mentor and a guide for Jing-mei, as she tells her stories about her father's childhood and his family history. She also gives her advice on how to behave in China, and how to appreciate her culture.

• What is the significance of the photograph in the story?

The photograph is a symbol of Jing-mei's connection with her sisters. It is the only evidence that they exist, and that they are related. It also triggers Jing-mei's curiosity and emotion, as she feels a strange sensation when she sees it for the first time. It also foreshadows the reunion that will take place at the end of the story.

• What is the significance of the make-up in the story?

The make-up is a symbol of Jing-mei's mask of American identity that falls off when she arrives in China. It represents her attempt to fit in with the American culture, and to hide her Chinese features. It also shows her insecurity and lack of confidence in herself. When she reaches China, she sweats off her make-up, which symbolizes her shedding of her mask and revealing her true identity.

• What is the main message or lesson of the story?

The main message or lesson of the story is that one should not be ashamed or ignorant of one's roots, but rather embrace them and learn from them. The story shows how Jing-mei discovers and appreciates her mother's past, her cultural heritage, and herself through her journey to China. She also realizes that she has a part of her mother in her, and that she can honor her memory by embracing her heritage.

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