Journal of Chaohu University ›› 2019, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (2): 109-114.doi: 10.12152/j.issn.1672-2868.2019.02.016

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Identity Construction of Chinese Americans in Laurence Yep's Thief of Hearts

Thief of Hearts is one of the Golden Mountain Chronicles written by Laurence Yep. The text tells a story that Stacy, a Chinese American girl, finds her identity of being a Chinese American by realizing her Chinese heritage. Compared to Chinese immigrants' original culture, the culture of dominant groups can be different or contradictory. In order to gain the sense of belonging, most of the Chinese immigrants have to experience the process of acculturation which may influence their identity construction. According to the theory of New Criticism and the concept of acculturation, it can be seen that the desire to integrate Chinese identity with American culture could be found in some Chinese immigrants in the story. They actively adapt to American culture without denying#br# Chinese identity, which is of far-reaching significance for further exploring the diverse cultural identity of Chinese American groups in the field of American literature.#br#   

  1. Department of Foreign Languages, Wenzhou University
  • Received:2019-02-17 Online:2019-03-25 Published:2019-07-10

Abstract: Abstract:Thief of Hearts is one of the Golden Mountain Chronicles written by Laurence Yep. The text tells a story that Stacy, a Chinese American girl, finds her identity of being a Chinese American by realizing her Chinese heritage. Compared to Chinese immigrants' original culture, the culture of dominant groups can be different or contradictory. In order to gain the sense of belonging, most of the Chinese immigrants have to experience the process of acculturation which may influence their identity construction. According to the theory of New Criticism and the concept of acculturation, it can be seen that the desire to integrate Chinese identity with American culture could be found in some Chinese immigrants in the story. They actively adapt to American culture without denying
Chinese identity, which is of far-reaching significance for further exploring the diverse cultural identity of Chinese American groups in the field of American literature.

Key words: Thief of Hearts, Laurence Yep, acculturation, identity construction

CLC Number: 

  • I712.074