The American Dream

Kim explores the idea of the American Dream, and how untenable it can be for some immigrants. The pressure to succeed is enormous, as evidenced by Janine's compulsive goal setting. Janine's angst also stems from being caught between two cultures as she "tries to escape Asian gender stereotyping" and "becomes a cliché: the overachieving Asian geek" (138). She worries that Matt married her because she is Asian and feels inferior at times in the face of white America. She resents assumptions made on the basis of her race, such as she was subjected to by Matt's family. Yet she is held out to Mary as a symbol of American success. Pak wants Mary educated in America so that Mary can aspire to Janine's accomplishments. This becomes ironic as Janine's verbal attack contribute to Mary's downfall. The SAT course booklet becomes symbolic as well, an indicator...