Sample Bridging
“I was raised by extremely strict but extremely loving Chinese immigrant parents… Western parents seem much more concerned about their children’s…self-esteem, whereas tough immigrant parents expect strength in their children and therefore behave completely differently.” -Amy Chua
Make a connection between the quote and the story. Support your answer with information from the story.
Part #1: Explain what the quote means.
The quote tells us that Chinese immigrant parents are demanding and expect strength in their children. Western parents, on the other hand, are concerned about their children’s confidence.
Part #2: Connect the poem to the quote through the use of sufficient examples.
In the story, Mrs. Jong is strict with Waverly and she teaches her the art of invisible strength in which you get the things you want by not showing your feelings. For example, at the market, when Waverly wants salted plums, her mother tells her that if she cries, she will not get what she wants. When Waverly does not ask for the salted plums and does not cry, she gets them. Additionally, when Waverly wins her first chess tournament, her mother tells her to lose less pieces next time instead of merely saying “good job.”
Part #3: Explain the connection and state what it has helped you understand.
The quote helps me understand why Waverly’s mother acts the way she does. It is not because she is not a loving parent, but simply because she is trying to build strength in her daughter and her behavior is typical of Chinese immigrant parents.
Final Answer
The quote tells us that Chinese immigrant parents are demanding and expect strength in their children. Western parents, on the other hand, are concerned about their children’s confidence.
In the story, Mrs. Jong is strict with Waverly and she teaches her the art of invisible strength in which you get the things you want by not showing your feelings. For example, at the market, when Waverly wants salted plums, her mother tells her that if she cries, she will not get what she wants. When Waverly does not ask for the salted plums and does not cry, she gets them. Additionally, when Waverly wins her first chess tournament, her mother tells her to lose less pieces next time instead of merely saying “good job.”
The quote helps me understand why Waverly’s mother acts the way she does. It is not because she is not a loving parent, but simply because she is trying to build strength in her daughter and her behavior is typical of Chinese immigrant parents.