What does identity mean?
What is one’s identity? That is a fairly vague question as it differs with each person. Looking at Deming Guo, I believe his identity is his culture. I mostly say this because he had a coherent identity – regardless of whether it conformed to the expectations set by his mother (such as going past 8 th grade which I mentioned in my note page) – while he still lived with his mother, Leon, Vivian, and Michael. His early childhood was filled with cultural experiences and he had no reason to veer away from them or ignore their influence on him. However, when Deming becomes Daniel and lives with Kay and Peter Wilkinson, this connection to his background is broken. He is not even allowed to speak in Fuzhounese anymore (I mentioned how he must talk in English only once he lives with Kay and Peter in the notes). This causes him to be completely confused about who he is and where he belongs. Furthermore, Kay and Peter attempt to assimilate into their “American culture” by p...