Mother Tongue
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Themes
All Themes Self-Acceptance Expressiveness and the Limits of Language Prejudice Storytelling and Asian-American Voices
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Amy Tan Tan’s Mother (Mrs. Tan)
Terms
All Terms Englishes Standard/Standardized
Symbols
All Symbols Language
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Mother Tongue

by

Amy Tan

Mother Tongue Symbols

Language

In “Mother Tongue,” Tan’s attempt to reconcile standardized English with her own “mother tongue” is a symbolic representation of her relationship with her mother. The essay emphasizes that language is highly flexible and…

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