Background of the Study

what acculturation strategy that Ruth Young as a second generation chooses to reconcile with the cultural conflicts.

D. Definition of Terms

The definitions of terms are given to help the readers in understanding the topic in this study. Since the topic is discussing the Chinese immigrants in the United States, the definition of Chinese American is provided. Kitano in Race Relations, Second Edition describes Chinese American as the first Asian immigrants to enter America in the 1840s Kitano, 1980: 218. Chinese American is the immigrants from China, later, the next generations who were born in the United States are also called as Chinese American. There are a lot of definitions about cultural conflict because it is connected with many aspects. Some of them are criminology, psychology, or sociology. The focus of this study is sociology. Thus, the definition of cultural conflict is defined from book entitled Sociology by Jonathan H. Turner. He states that “cultural conflict is caused by differences in cultural values and beliefs that place people at odds with one another” 2005: 87. The term of cultural conflict in this study is associated with the differences in culture, especially with its values and beliefs. Then, reconciliation is also needed to be defined. Reconciliation is the transition from a broken relationship to a restored one. Often, the restored relationship is stronger than it was prior to the conflict http:www.newworldencyclopedia.orgentryConflict , January 15, 2015. Reconciliation is in a positive term that means to start a new relationship and end the disagreement after having conflicts. 6

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF LITERATURE

A. Review of Related Study

Most of Amy Tan’s works talk about mother-daughter relationship and the point of view towards different culture from different generations. The Bonesetter’s Daughter tells the relation of mother-daughter and the cultural conflicts between two generations. A mother as a first generation who is an immigrant from China in the United States still holds tight the Chinese culture whereas the daughter as the American born has been influenced by the American culture and lifestyle. The review of Tan’s The Bonesetter’s Daughter is written by Tom Navarro in his website entitled Philnensia with the subtitle “Critique of Bonesetter’s Daughter, a Novel by Amy Tan”. Navarro in his review states that “Amy Tan’s novel is an excellent example of a book that exudes both Chinese sensibilities and American straightforwardness, seemingly a proud declaration of the author’s Chinese American heritage” Navarro, 2006 , http:tomachfive.wordpress.com20061005critique-of-bonesetters-daughter-a- novel-by-amy-tan, September 6, 2013. Navarro moreover writes an analysis of The Bonesetter’s Daughter, he reviews several points such as literary style and devices, conflict of the first and second generation, pervading culture, themes, and advocacy for profound societal change. The review from Navarro is related to this study, especially the review about the conflicts of the main characters. Navarro in his website gives a brief explanation about the conflict that has been through by the main women characters. “Ruth had to go against American culture of individualism and pragmatism, at the expense of her relationship with Art, in order to live and take care of her mother, who had acquired dementia” Navarro, 2006, http:tomachfive.wordpress.com20061005critique-of-bonesetters-daughter-a- novel-by-amy-tan, September 6, 2013. Ruth that has been influenced by American culture and lifestyle is confused to fit herself into some situations. Her American boyfriend suggests Ruth to hire caretakers to look after her mother, on the other hand, the bond Ruth felt for her mother won against the expectations of society Navarro, 2006, http:tomachfive.wordpress.com20061005critique-of- bonesetters-daughter-a-novel-by-amy-tan, September 6, 2013. The conflict is showing Ruth’s confusion toward the culture of a society. Navarro also reviews about the conflicts of LuLing in the past where she was in China and as well Precious Auntie, LuLing’s mother. “ Citing these, it can be supposed that the culture of a society played a major part in forming the mentalities and crucial decisions of the people they have come into opposition with as they tried to exercise their freedom ” Navarro, 2006. The review illustrates the role of a culture in society that pushes the characters in the novel . The quotation from Navarro’s review shows that the conflict happens in the society around Ruth and she has to choose how she should reconcile with the conflicts. The writer also uses the undergraduate thesis by Yulita Eva Setiawan in her undergraduate thesis entitled “The Culture Clash of Chinese American in Amy Tan’s The Bonesetter’s Daughter”. She also gives the explanation about the cause of cultural clash Setiawan, 2009: 29-51. The undergraduate thesis explores the characteristics of the women major characters, the culture clash between two women major characters and also the factors that cause the culture clash. Setiawan’s undergraduate thesis mostly describes about the cultural clash between the generations. The last related study that is used by the writer is the undergraduate thesis by Ngo Maria Christina. Christina ’s undergraduate thesis is entitled “The Perspective of Chinese-American Mothers and Daughters on Chinese Culture as seen in Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club”. She discusses the characteristics of Chinese American mothers and daughters and their perspective toward the Chinese culture based on the values Christina, 2012: 30-70. Christina gives some reviews of Chinese culture and American culture, the differences of the values in each culture. She also adds the review of Chinese immigrants Christina, 2012: 10-22. The writer finds out that the related studies above are helpful. It also enriches the basic knowledge of the writer to develop this study. This study is developing the related studies that have been mentioned above. The writer agrees with the studies and chooses the related studies because it has a connection to this study. The writer explores more about the conflicts between two generations. The