Eat a Bowl of Tea by Wayne Wang is a Chinese movie.

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nWang’s Eat a Bowl of Tea

nEat a Bowl of Tea by Wayne Wang is a Chinese movie. The film depicts clashes between ideals of current American community and Chinese traditions through the life of bachelor community in Chinese Americans following end of Second World War (Wang). In addition, it shows how it was rare for men of Chinese origin living in the US to marry in their home country then migrate to overseas world. At that moment, such men possess the likelihood of return. The generation of Chinese American men live in a state of geographical and cultural transience. Therefore, they keep on moving between their host country to China and in some instances, they remain permanently in the western world and assist their families to relocate (Wang). For this reason, the film describes the generational clashes that take places when long-term Chinese traditions conflicts with a newly designed concept of American identity.

nThe film revolves around the planned marriage of the daughter of Gong Lee, Mei Oi, and the son of Gay Wah Wang, Ben Loy. The young couple first interacted in China when their parents had moved to the country, instantly fell in love and finally marry (Wang). The life of the new couple is moving on well until they move to New York. Unfortunately, Ben Loy turns out to be impotent. Through this occurrence, it becomes an avenue that Chu close examine the life of Chinese American society. In addition, via the impotence story of Loy, he is able to highlight the responsibility of Chinese elder generation and its customs in the existence of younger generation as well as the role of mobility (Wang).

nThe narrative is based on an irony. Prior to the Second World War, most of the immigrants of Chinese origin were not allowed to gain citizenship through naturalization. In addition, the legal provisions in the US prevented Chinese women to gain entry in the country unless she belonged to the ruling class (Wang). However, the ban was lifted following the end of the war. The effects of this ban were felt between the Chinese in the cities. Many Chinese males including sons born in China but raised in America and their fathers characterized Chinatown. Therefore, the title of the movie attempts to denote the prescription of traditional Chinese medicine as the people tried to rectify the situation (Wang). It deals with the cure, which become worse as compared to the disease.

nBen Loy is a Chinese boy who is raised in the US. His father wants him to wed Mei Oi since she is not an American-born Chinese woman (fook sing). Ben Loy is just like his father since he is born in China (gimshunhock) (Wang). However, also he appears to be a nice boy, he had engaged in sexual activities with commercial sex workers. Unfortunately, he was infected with sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea and syphilis, which render him impotent (Wang). Since Mei Oi is born in China, she is required to be understanding, courteous, and good wife. Instead, she adopts the traits of a jook sing wife.

nThe matrimony between the young couple is influenced by the individual expectations and the manner in which such expectations are affected by the traditional and cultural understanding as Chinese (Wang). Nonetheless, the understanding is complex due to their new status and place within the new culture of the Americans in the representation of Chinatown in New York (Wang).

nBen Loy is in constant pressure from the friends of his father to get children but because of his impotence, it becomes challenging. He decides to seek assistance from herb medicine man in order to solve the problem of impotence (Wang). On the other hand, his discouraged partner, Mei Oi, is enticed by a local individual referred to as Ah Song. However, after Loys father realizes this, he cut-off the ear of Ah Song and escapes to hide in Havana. Therefore, he leaves Mei Oi and Ben Loy to solve their problems (Wang). It is evident from the couple that Chinese culture places a lot of emphasis on the family ties. In some instance, the familial ties seem supersede the law. For instance, after War injures Ah Song she is not punished but instead Ah Song suffers exile (Wang).

nIt is also clear from the Chinese culture that upholding the family reputation and name is very crucial. In this regard, a family must sire babies. Additionally, grandchildren are treated with must importance in the society because they provide family continuity and status (Wang). Furthermore, the old generation and new generations in the Chinese society are in conflict because of the valued placed on boy babies as compared to the girl children. Similarly, the role of Chinese women and men are different because it is culturally accepted for a man engage with sexual activities but women are forbidden to engage outside their marriage (Wang). For instance, when Mei Oi has extramarital affair with Ah Song she is considered to behave like a man. On the contrary, this is a tragedy for ben Loy since it is assumed that he loses his manhood in the marriage. He can only reclaim his masculinity after re-establishing himself as a dominant and independent individual in the relationship (Wang).

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nWork cited

nWang Wayne. “Eat a Bowl of Tea Trailer.” YouTube, YouTube, 31 May 2008, www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8k4B8FFNhM.