25 The writer collected the primary source from the deep analysis of the novel
itself, while the secondary sources were gathered by reading books, articles, criticisms, and references related to the object of the study. Some of the important
sources were books written by Haviland, Latourette, Hsu, and Sirjamaki. There were some steps undergone by the writer in order to answer the
questions that were stated in the problem formulation section. Firstly, the writer read the novel The Kitchen God’s Wife for several times in order to get better
comprehension of the story. Second ly, the problem to be analyzed in the study was decided; it was the influence of cultural backgrounds on mother-daughter
relationship. Next, the writer formulated the problem of the stud y. Third, the writer gathered the data needed in answering the questions stated in the problem
formulation part. When facing some problems in finding the information needed in the library, the electronic data search through internet was done. The biography
which includes the backgrounds of the author, Amy Tan, was gathered from this source as well. Fourth, re-reading the novel thoroughly and underlining the
important things which reflect the problem. Fifth, the writer applied the socio- cultural approach to analyze the problems and used the theories gathered also.
Finally, the writer drew some conclusions to answer the questions mentioned in the problem formulation.
26
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
This chapter is the analysis of the novel The Kitchen God’s Wife. In this part, the writer tries to analyze the questions formulated in the problem
formulation section. There are two steps done in analyzing the problems. The first one is the analysis of Winnie’s and Pearl’s cultures described in the novel, while
the second one is the analysis of the mother and daughter relationship which is affected by their cultural backgrounds.
A. Winnie’s and Pearl’s Cultures Described in Amy Tan’s The Kitchen God’s
Wife 1.
Winnie’s Culture
The Kitchen God’s Wife is dominated by Winnie’s Chinese culture. The
past life of Winnie describes the culture. Winnie also brings the Chinese culture to America and which later affects her life, way of thinking and relationship with
others especially with her daughter, Pearl. Chinese culture views fa mily as the fundamental characteristic of Chinese
society. Basically, family is an important part of the society in every nation, yet Chinese people value family as the most crucial element in their lives. It is the
leading part in every aspect of life suc h as economic life, social control, moral education, and even government. In terms of social control, family has a duty to
control the society members to stick together and maintain a tight bond among PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
27 them. Chinese families consider special occasions as the time to gather with the
whole big family and relatives. It is the time to tighten their bond as a Chinese family. The occasions are sometimes not very important to be attended.
Nevertheless, the obligation to respect the relatives forces Chinese family to be present.
As seen in the first chapter, Pearl’s cousin, Bao-bao hold an engagement party which demands Pearl to attend. Winnie invites Pearl and insists that she
joins the party. In accordance with Winnie’s point of view, such a big occasion must be attended by all relatives because it is a way to show the family bond
among them. However, Pearl who grew up in American culture and married to a non-Chinese man thinks that there is no obligation for the relatives to come to
such an event. Nevertheless, Pearl considers her presence at the party as her duty as part of Chinese family which has to be fulfilled.
”Pearl-ah, have to go, no choice,” 3. Over the years that we’ve been married, we’ve learned to sidestep the
subject of my family, my duty. Phil used to say that I was driven by blind devotion to fear and guilt. And then he would say the only reason we had
to go was that I had been manipulated into thinking I had no choice, and that I was doing the same thing to him 8-9.
In China, children have duties to keep the family’s good name and
reputation and dedicate themselves to their parents. They are expected to behave nicely and show obedience to their parents. There is no bargaining between
parents and children. If the children are told to do something, it is an order for them and they must obey it. Obedience is compulsory. If the parents are not
around, older children are expected to be responsible of their younger siblings. There is a part in The Kitchen God’s Wife where Winnie is scared of Old Aunt and
