Bound For Home by Marie Yuen: A Gripping Portrait of the Chinese American Diaspora

Bound For Home by Marie Yuen is a powerful and moving novel that explores the Chinese American diaspora through the story of one family's journey. Set against the backdrop of the Chinese Exclusion Act, the novel follows the experiences of a young Chinese woman who is forced to leave her homeland and start a new life in America.

Bound For Home

by Marie Yuen

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	161 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	11 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The novel opens in the year 1885, in the small village of Taishan, China. Ah Fong is a young woman who dreams of becoming a doctor. However, her plans are shattered when her father is arrested and deported by the Qing government. Ah Fong is forced to flee her home and travel to San Francisco, where she hopes to find a new life.

Upon her arrival in America, Ah Fong is confronted by the harsh realities of the Chinese Exclusion Act. She is denied entry to the country and forced to live in a crowded Chinatown tenement. Despite the challenges she faces, Ah Fong is determined to make a new life for herself. She finds work as a seamstress and begins to learn English. She also meets a young Chinese American man named Chen Dao, who becomes her friend and confidant.

As Ah Fong and Chen Dao navigate the challenges of life in America, they begin to develop a deep connection. They share their dreams and their hopes, and they provide each other with strength and support. However, their relationship is threatened by the increasing anti-Chinese sentiment in America. Chen Dao is arrested and deported, and Ah Fong is once again left alone.

Despite the hardships she faces, Ah Fong never gives up hope. She continues to work hard and to dream of a better future for herself and her family. She eventually becomes a successful businesswoman and a respected member of her community. Bound For Home is a powerful and moving story of resilience, hope, and the struggle for identity. Marie Yuen has crafted a compelling portrait of the Chinese American diaspora, and her novel is sure to stay with readers long after they finish reading it.

Historical Context

The Chinese Exclusion Act was a series of laws passed by the United States government between 1882 and 1943 that restricted the immigration of Chinese people into the United States. The act was motivated by racism and xenophobia, and it had a devastating impact on the Chinese American community.

The act was passed at a time when Chinese people were coming to America in large numbers, seeking economic opportunities. Many Chinese immigrants worked in the mining, railroad, and agricultural industries. However, their presence in America was met with hostility by many white Americans, who feared that the Chinese would take away their jobs and lower their wages.

The Chinese Exclusion Act prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the United States, and it also made it difficult for Chinese people who were already in the country to become citizens. The act also led to widespread discrimination against Chinese Americans, who were often denied basic rights and opportunities.

The Chinese Exclusion Act was finally repealed in 1943, but its legacy continues to impact the Chinese American community today. The act created a sense of isolation and alienation for Chinese Americans, and it made it difficult for them to fully participate in American society.

Themes

Bound For Home explores a number of important themes, including:

• Identity: Ah Fong is a Chinese woman who is forced to leave her homeland and start a new life in America. She struggles to find her place in both cultures, and she often feels like an outsider.
• Family: Ah Fong's family is the most important thing to her. She is forced to leave them behind when she comes to America, and she longs to be reunited with them.
• Community: Ah Fong finds a sense of community in the Chinese American community in San Francisco. She is surrounded by people who share her experiences and who understand her struggles.
• Hope: Despite the challenges she faces, Ah Fong never gives up hope. She believes that she can create a better future for herself and her family.

Characters

Bound For Home features a cast of well-developed and engaging characters. The following are some of the most important characters:

• Ah Fong: Ah Fong is a young Chinese woman who is forced to leave her homeland and start a new life in America. She is a strong and determined woman who never gives up hope.
• Chen Dao: Chen Dao is a young Chinese American man who becomes Ah Fong's friend and confidant. He is a kind and supportive man who helps Ah Fong to navigate the challenges of life in America.
• Ah Fong's father: Ah Fong's father is a scholar who is arrested and deported by the Qing government. He is a wise and compassionate man who loves his daughter very much.
• Ah Fong's mother: Ah Fong's mother is a strong and independent woman who takes care of her family after her husband is deported.

Bound For Home is a powerful and moving novel that explores the Chinese American diaspora through the story of one family's journey. Set against the backdrop of the Chinese Exclusion Act, the novel follows the experiences of a young Chinese woman who is forced to leave her homeland and start a new life in America. Through her vivid prose and evocative characters, Yuen paints a compelling portrait of the challenges faced by Chinese Americans in the early 20th century.

Bound For Home is a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese American history or in the experiences of immigrants in America. It is a powerful and moving story that will stay with readers long after they finish reading it.

About the Author

Marie Yuen is a Chinese American writer and journalist. She is the author of three novels, including Bound For Home, which was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction. Yuen's work has been praised for its insights into the Chinese American experience and for its beautiful and evocative prose.

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Bound For Home

by Marie Yuen

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	161 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	11 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE