American Born Chinese Book Analysis Essay Example

Context: American Born Chinese is a book with 3 linked stories by Gene Luen Yang, Jin is a white Asian boy from California who becomes friends with a pure-Asian boy, Wei Chen from Taiwan. Jin makes a stupid decision and loses Wei Chen, and changes himself, but thankfully becomes allies with Wei Chen again.

Introduction: Have you ever lost a friend because of a dumb argument or a stupid decision? Well In American Born Chinese, the main characters try to change themselves for other people. Specifically Jin loses his girlfriend/friend(Amelia. Because of one of her friends and becomes a jerk. which leads to Jin losing Wei-Chen.

Main idea 1: Jin meets Wei-Chen.

Jin meets a boy who just moved to California (Wei Chen).  Wei Chen is Asian just like Jin so they found that they have that in common. So Jin decides to show Wei Chen some American things, and they become great friends, and hang out. Jin and Wei Chen stay friends until  middle school, when something happens to Jin. Because of what happens Jin becomes a big jerk and loses to Wei Chen.

Main idea 2: Jin became a jerk and lost his best friend.

Jin lost Amelia, because one of her friends made him stop hanging out with her because he's Asian. That's when things started to spiral down. Jin becomes a complete jerk and finds Wei Chen's girlfriend whimpering, because of a bully calling her a “mean word”.  Jin tries to comfort her and he ends up kissing her, which leads to her slapping him in the face. Wei Chen shows up at Jin's front door and asks why he did it, and Jin says it was because he didn't think he was good enough for her.            

Main idea 3: Jin finds Wei Chen and becomes friends again

After the Incident Jin somehow changes himself into another person (Danny), and Wei Chen is a monkey god messenger, and Danny's supposed step brother is Wei Chen’s father in disguise. Danny reveals his true form as Jin and the monkey king(Wei Chen's father) gives him a card with an address to a bubble tea shop. Jin goes to the tea shop for over a month everyday, until he finally finds Wei Chen. Jin apologizes for how he treated Wei Chen, and Wei Chen invites him to a better bubble tea shop.

Conclusion

Jin was foolish and lost friends and loved ones because of his not so smart decisions. Jin was perfect as he was and when he tried to change himself he made everything go downhill. But thankfully Wei Chen's father clutched up and saved their friendship. As well hopefully restored Wei Chen's position as a monkey god.