Two Kinds

Amy Tan

AMY TAN – TWO KINDS

Terms to know

• Motivation

• Protagonist

• Antagonist

• Subordinate Characters

• Static and Dynamic Characters

• Internal and External Conflict

• Motivation is what makes or drives a character to act the way they do.

• Authors seldom state the motivation directly, rather they imply what the motive might be. Readers must make inferences about why the characters act the way they do.

Motivation

Protagonist

• The protagonist or main character is the central figure of a story

Antagonist

• The main character in opposition to the protagonist or hero of the story

• We also meet friends, neighbors and family members of the protagonist and antagonist.

• These characters are not as important as the main characters but are in the story for a reason.

• They may help to develop the story’s conflict.

Subordinate Characters

Is the character ‘static’ or ‘dynamic’

• A Static character is one that does not change in any way from the beginning to the end of the story

• A dynamic character is one that learns a lesson, develops as an individual throughout the story

• Internal Conflict – the protagonist wrestles with his or her won fear or worry or the need to make a decision

• ***** Turn to a partner and explain a time you experienced internal conflict

• External Conflict – a conflict between the protagonist and some outside force (another character, society, nature)

Conflict – Internal and External

Amy Tan - Two Kinds

1. What does Jing-Mei’s mother want her to be? 2. Why is Mr. Chong an ineffective teacher?3. What happens at the talent show? 4. What does Jing-mei do with the piano after her

mothers death? 5. Do you think it is fairly common that some mothers

(or fathers) create resentment in their children by trying to do things they feel are in their children’s best interests? Think of some examples.

6. Do you believe people grow up with certain personality traits that can’t be changed?