Steer Toward Rock by Fae

¶ … Steer Toward Rock by Fae Myenne Ng [...] main character Jack, and how his life embodies the Asian-American experience. Jack represents the era of Chinese immigration into the United States, when "old school" Chinese operated in shady operations in San Francisco's Chinatown, and knew ways to circumvent the system. Jack is preyed upon from the time he enters the country, and yet he still hopes for a brighter future. Jack's experience in America is like the experience of many people who came to America to better themselves.

He hopes for a brighter future, but he also recognizes family obligations. What his life taught me is that our Chinese ancestors went through many agonizing situations that we have no comprehension of, and probably never could survive. He comes into the country and instantly owes $4,000 to the "father" who smuggled him in. He denounces his identity to prove his love, and his father is deported.

He had a daughter by a woman he loves, but she will not marry him, and he is targeted by his father when he denounces his identity and sends him back to China. He has many troubles and worries, and yet, he is a decent man who wants the best for those around him. Through all his experiences, he is a hard, dedicated worker. He loved being a butcher. He says, "I read meat.

I moved my fingers through marbled flesh like a vulture's beak, I fanned muscle from tendon and found by feel the soft flank that was gold" (Ng, 2008, p. 6). This shows me his dedication to his craft, that he is a hard worker, and that he honors his debt and wishes to repay it. The story also shows that there is a closeness and a camaraderie among the residents of Chinatown.

They all know each other and watch out for each other, even if it sounds like they are nagging or yelling at each other sometimes. Jack gets advice from these people, and they seem like a family. One tells him, "Your girl wants to hold a common story with you. Don't make her sacrifice love to chase you. Fix that. Otherwise life doesn't lead life" (Ng, 2008, p. 163). I think these people stuck together because they had common experiences and a common background.

It taught me how resilient the Asian community is. I think that today, they have lost some of this backbone that makes them so strong in the story. There is less a sense of community, and more Americanization, and it seems like something is lost in the process. Ancestry is important in this character, as well. He thinks of Joice, "If her father had lived, would he have taught her that desire wasn't a road to knowledge, that love was never ideal, that yearning was not hope?" (Ng, 2008, p. 28).

That is especially poignant because of Jack's own background. His mother sold him to Szeto's family when he was very young, so he never really knows his own family, and he is always beholden to Szeto. He is intensely loyal, even though he is not related by blood, which says much about his character. He also puts love above family, above everything really, and he pays.