Trying to Find Chinatown is a play about two men arguing over identity. The play was written by David Henry Hwang in 1996. Trying to Find Chinatown features numerous themes including: the value of culture, the search for belonging and acceptance, and the negative outcome of having preconceived notions. However, the one theme that stands above the rest is the complicated matter of identity. To first understand the term identity, a few questions must be asked. What is identity? Some argue that identity is an individual pursuit. It is something that can only be discovered by an individual. Others argue that identity is an ongoing process that develops and changes over time due to personal connections shaped by a community. The online Merriam-
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Ronnie sees Benjamin’s request as a personal assault. “What are you gonna ask me next? Where you can find the best dim sum in the city?” (Meyer 859). Ronnie believes that he was asked how to find Chinatown because he is Chinese. He sees this as a direct affront to his culture and background. Paul James, a professor at the University of Western Sydney, writes that “…categorizations about identity, even when codified and hardened into clear typologies by processes of colonization, state formation or general modernizing processes, are always full of tensions and contradictions. Sometimes these contradictions are destructive, but they can also be creative and positive.” Ronnie grew up with what Benjamin is trying to find. Therefore, it can be assumed that Ronnie dislikes Benjamin because he is secretly searching for what Benjamin already has; …show more content…
Once he decided who he was, he tried to project that image onto society. Regardless of how he saw himself, he learned to understand that society might reject his personal identity and deem it inaccurate. In the play, Benjamin struggles to prove to Ronnie that they are part of the same culture. “Just like everyone else. I wanted to explore my roots… I learned to take pride in my ancestors who built to railroads…” (Meyer 861). Benjamin truly believes that he and Ronnie are the same, even though they are not of the same ethnicity. Ronnie, however, denies this claim. “I don’t know what kind of bullshit ethnic studies program they’re running over in Wuss-consin, but did they bother to teach you that in order to find your Asian “roots,” it’s a good idea to first be Asian?” (Meyer 861).When Benjamin’s personal identity was questioned and met with hostility, Benjamin tries to defend his point of view by showing Ronnie that he means no harm. Ronnie ignores Benjamin’s explanation by continuing to mention Benjamin’s skin color. “You’re white!” (Meyer 861). Due to Ronnie’s constant need to bring up Benjamin’s skin color, Benjamin becomes angry. “You’re one of those self-hating, assimilated Chinese Americans, aren’t you?” (Meyer 862). Benjamin is having trouble understanding Ronnie’s point of view and believes that he can somehow persuade Ronnie into understanding his point
Ronnie sees Benjamin’s request as a personal assault. “What are you gonna ask me next? Where you can find the best dim sum in the city?” (Meyer 859). Ronnie believes that he was asked how to find Chinatown because he is Chinese. He sees this as a direct affront to his culture and background. Paul James, a professor at the University of Western Sydney, writes that “…categorizations about identity, even when codified and hardened into clear typologies by processes of colonization, state formation or general modernizing processes, are always full of tensions and contradictions. Sometimes these contradictions are destructive, but they can also be creative and positive.” Ronnie grew up with what Benjamin is trying to find. Therefore, it can be assumed that Ronnie dislikes Benjamin because he is secretly searching for what Benjamin already has; …show more content…
Once he decided who he was, he tried to project that image onto society. Regardless of how he saw himself, he learned to understand that society might reject his personal identity and deem it inaccurate. In the play, Benjamin struggles to prove to Ronnie that they are part of the same culture. “Just like everyone else. I wanted to explore my roots… I learned to take pride in my ancestors who built to railroads…” (Meyer 861). Benjamin truly believes that he and Ronnie are the same, even though they are not of the same ethnicity. Ronnie, however, denies this claim. “I don’t know what kind of bullshit ethnic studies program they’re running over in Wuss-consin, but did they bother to teach you that in order to find your Asian “roots,” it’s a good idea to first be Asian?” (Meyer 861).When Benjamin’s personal identity was questioned and met with hostility, Benjamin tries to defend his point of view by showing Ronnie that he means no harm. Ronnie ignores Benjamin’s explanation by continuing to mention Benjamin’s skin color. “You’re white!” (Meyer 861). Due to Ronnie’s constant need to bring up Benjamin’s skin color, Benjamin becomes angry. “You’re one of those self-hating, assimilated Chinese Americans, aren’t you?” (Meyer 862). Benjamin is having trouble understanding Ronnie’s point of view and believes that he can somehow persuade Ronnie into understanding his point