Granddaughter/Grandmother ====Who's IRISH???

After I read the story “Who’s Irish”, I totally agree with Dr. Kulbaga that Gish Jen is a very interesting writer and perhaps one of my favorite authors now. Indeed, her writing style is very unique, she embedded different cultures such as, American, Irish and Chinese into one vivid and interesting mixed culture. Also, she has strong sense of humor.
Today, I will like to share some interesting parts that I read from the story and please feel free to jump anytime to discuss it more or comment on it. First, the way she introduces other characters to readers are very interesting. For instance, she gave credits to Irish ancestors first by saying “I always thought Irish people are like Chinese, work so hard on the railroad…” (p.177), and then criticizing the current Irish family that she has to deal with. Instead of saying that she is giving the credits to Irish ancestors, let’s just say she is using that as her stepping stone to humiliate her son-in-law’s family. She is being very sarcastic by comparing four young and strong man from Shea family, who can speak fluent English and hundred percent capable of working are just sitting in the house every day, and getting benefits from welfare; unlike the author, who “have no money and do not speak English” (p.177) and still able to open a restaurant and provide her daughter a good life and education.
Moreover, I also like the way that she blamed the Irish culture first, and use that thought to further humiliate the four brothers from Shea family. For instance, she is thankful that she came “from a country where the food is popular all over the world” while blaming the Irish country where “everything is boiled” (p.177). She further humiliate “plain boiled: John” (p.178) with a “plain boiled thinking” (p.178). The funny part here is that when she said “maybe because I grew up with black bean sauce and hoisin sauce and garlic sauce” (p.178) I am very impressed that she can even use the food culture to describe the differences of personalities.
In the whole story, I can definitely feel her enthusiasm of her country, culture and education. Sometimes, she will even use Chinese words, like “shu-shu”. For instance, she will never forget to praise her mother land first before comparing to other countries. Also, she often felt disappointed and frustrating when comparing other cultures with her authentic culture. For example, she is upset with the concept of being “supportive” (p.178) to her daughter, instead of her daughter taking care of mother like most of the daughters in China do. Another word that Chinese do not talk about is “creative” (p.180), she is complaining that Americans use it all day long.
Nonetheless, she wants her granddaughter to keep more of her Chinese side, both physically and mentally, because she dislikes the American/Irish education. For instance, she thinks that John and her daughter are very irresponsible when they “agree Sophie is a problem, but they don’t know what to do” (p.181), and even worse when said “in America, parents not supposed to spank the child” (p.181) John and Natalie wanted to use the author as a “free baby sitter”, but restricted her from punishing Sophie. The author tried to comply, but she failed. Sophie just being too persistent and will never listen to her grandmother, so the author decided to stick on her traditional way of educating the kids. At first, it seems to be working when she said “Sophie stop taking off her clothes. I report. Finally!” (p.182) However, the nature of personalities defeated the traditional education from grandmother, Sophie just gets wilder and wilder from hitting “the mommies of her friends” to hiding “in the foxhole” (p.183)
Lastly, I really like her sense of humor, especially when she said “but lucky enough, got the baby-sitter for free”. (p.178) At the end of the story, I was actually surprised when she said “now I am become honorary Irish myself…Who’s Irish?” (p.186) It makes me rethink again where the title “Who’s Irish” is really about her granddaughter or herself.