CHARACTER

Jing Mei Woo (June) Jing Mei is stubborn, want to be independence and always against her mother. Jing Mei resented her mother's decisions and resisted her control. She also make her mother frustrated because of her failure in every test that her mother gave. Jing Mei also naughty when she cheating in piano class after she knew that his pianos instructor was deaf. Jing Mei does not appreciate opportunities her mother offers to explore music and enrich herself.

 Mrs. Woo (Suyuan) The antagonist happens to be her own mother, who is always pushing to discover some hidden talent and be someone she is not. Jing-mei's mother attempted to dominate and control her daughter's life. Lindo Jong ( Auntie Lindo), She is a close friend of Jing Mei's mother.

 Waverly Jong She is Auntie Lindo's daughter, who is close to Jing Mei's age. But they hate each other. Mr. Chong Jing Mei's piano instructor, who she dubs "Old Chong", plays a small role in the story. Mr Woo Jing Mei's dad is included in the text, but does not play much of a role.

THEMES
Mother-daughter relationship Jing-Mei (June) Woo has a very difficult relationship while growing up with her mother, Suyuan. June and Suyuan's relationship is punctuated by conflict in "Two Kinds." Suyuan pushes June to the breaking point by forcing her to play piano and June brings up a subject - the death of Suyuan's twin daughters - that shocks and emotionally wounds Suyuan. However, June and Suyuan's relationship survives through this episode and through later years

 Mothers love Although Suyuan never actually says the words "I love you" to June, her actions clearly show that she does love her daughter. Though Suyuan's actions may be misguided, she has good intentions. Suyuan believes that June has a prodigy inside of her and that her hidden talent will flow once it is discovered. June feels that her mother is pushing her too hard and expecting too much of her, but Suyuan does not think she is being unreasonable.

 American Dream Two Kinds" focuses on the mother/daughter dynamic. Because Jing Mei's mother lived an extremely difficult life in China, she pressures Jing Mei to excel in America where it is much easier for a girl to be successful. The problem is that Jing Mei's mother defines success for her daughter as being exceptional at something. Thus, Jing Mei must take piano lessons in order to become a child protegee.

POINT OF VIEW
"Two Kinds," is written in the first person objective. Jing Mei, the main character that has grown into a young woman and is telling the story of her coming of age in a family that had emigrated from China. In particular, she tells that her mother's attempted parental guidance was dominated by foolish hopes and dreams. This double perspective allows both the naivety of a young girl trying to identify herself and the hindsight and judgment of a mature woman.