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Jin's Identity In American Born Chinese By Gene Luen Yang

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Throughout the graphic novel, American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang, Jin has a dichotomous self identity. Jin has trouble identifying as both American and Chinese and not feeling welcomed from his peers due to his race. In the graphic novel, Jin develops a persona named Danny, who is a white all-american boy, and the Monkey King comes into Jin’s life as Chin-Kee, who possesses many chinese stereotypes. These characters relate to Jin’s identity because Danny symbolizes Jin’s American side and who he wishes to be, while Chin-Kee represents Jin’s Chinese side, which Jin tries to hide and repress. Both of these characters end up helping Jin find comfort in reconciliation of being both, Chinese and American. Jin is a typical teenager and Danny is a popular jock at Oliphant High where he is well liked by his peers and is starting to spark a relationship with a girl named Melanie. Danny is Jin’s total opposite. Jin was not popular, was bullied frequently by his peers, and he didn’t play a sport. The only similarity is Amelia and Melanie. Danny’s personality changes before and after we are introduced to Chin-Kee. When he first arrives, Danny drops his book and becomes stiff with his eyes wide open and teeth clenched (47). Danny fears what his classmates will say about Chin-Kee and doesn’t want to be …show more content…

Danny had to go to school and took Chin-Kee along with him. Danny, or Jin, brings Chin-Kee to school late in an attempted to hide him from the rest of his classmates (110). Danny is forced to bring his Chineseness with him to school, but tries to avoid from people noticing. But, while in class Chin-Kee participates in class and answers all the teachers answers correctly, bringing attention to him and Danny (111). Chin-Kee is being stereotypical, which really embarrasses Danny. Regardless of Jin’s efforts to suppress his Chinese side and elevate his American side, Chin-Kee will be there as a reminder to Danny of what he is afraid

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