Beathard 1 Julianna Beathard Ms.

Kelley, 2nd AP Language and Composition 2-5-13 Rhetoric of Culture In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, immigrants from all over the world traveled to America, in search of a more prosperous life. With them, they brought their traditions, languages and religions, forming America into a diverse and welcoming nation. One of the largest and most influential groups to come to America, as well as being the first Asian immigrants to enter the United States, was the Chinese. During this time, the discovery of gold in California provoked people worldwide to seek their fortunes on the Pacific Coast of the United States. Ironically, the discovery came during a period of political disorder and economic hardship for China, as the Chinese Empire was losing control of the nation and imperial powers from Europe were forcing their way into China. Because of these two factors, many Chinese were prompted to leave their homeland and come to America, which is what thousands did. When the Chinese first arrived in the mid-1800s, they were well and widely received by the Americans. Not only were they renowned for their hard work and dependability, but they were also wealthy, successful merchants, skilled artisans and fishermen. Because of the great successes with gold found in California, which the Chinese named the golden mountain, the number of Chinese immigrants increased rapidly, and continued to grow. In fact, so many Chinese migrated to America, that Chinatowns were formed all over the country, especially concentrated in the Gold

Beathard 2 Rush area of San Francisco. However, Americans attitudes towards the Chinese began to shift to a more negative and hostile view after large groups of unskilled workers, who worked for little pay, came to the United States and various acts of violence and resentment toward the Chinese increased. To minimize and restrict Chinese immigration into America, the Naturalization Act of 1870, as well as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, were both passed. While these acts satisfied the irritated Americans, they disappointed the hopeful Chinese, who were searching for a more successful life. One of the main points of entry for the Chinese immigrants during this time was Angel Island, which is located in San Francisco Bay. Here, many migrants would record poems, on the stone walls, describing their voyage to America and expressing their feelings and thoughts about their new lifestyle. The hardships they faced were evident through the poems that were written. The most common aspect of these poems was to voice the own immigrants situation. However, many of these poems often expressed the anger felt by the Chinese, not only because of their confinement, but also due to the fact that their homeland of China was unable to help. This common theme of portraying the discrimination felt by the Chinese immigrants, commonly through the use of allusion, simile and irony, was widely used in many pieces of literature. Through the writing of these poems, the Chinese were able to unconsciously create a new cultural perspective, a Chinese American sensibility, which has influenced and contributed to the way America is shaped today.

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Anthology: This poetry anthology is a collection of poems that express the strong feelings felt by the Chinese immigrants upon arriving in America. Many of these poems depict feelings of anger, frustration, hope, despair and loneliness. The early 1900s, when many Chinese were still migrating into America, was the same time the Americans felt most strongly against the immigration of the Chinese, due to the excessive number of them invading their country. Therefore, many Americans treated the Chinese with disgrace, which explains the harsh words written by the Chinese in many of their literary pieces. The following poems, which are mainly a collection of poems written on the wall at Angel Island, clearly depict the common theme of revealing the judgment and discrimination felt by the Chinese. They also display the suffering the immigrants had to endure, due to the lack of freedom and extreme feelings of loneliness and homesickness. As such, these poems are important fragments of American history and literature not only because they are typically overlooked and disregarded by the public, yet convey important messages, but more importantly because they serve as strong evidence that dismiss the stereotype of Chinese Americans as passive, self-satisfied and illiterate.

Beathard 4 Encouraging the Traveler From Xu Xiangshan

The author of this poem describes the mixed emotions, such as anxiety, joy and hopefulness, felt when leaving his homeland and traveling to the land of the Flowery Flag.

Just talk about going to the land of the Flowery Flag1 and my countenance fills with happiness. Not without hard work were 1,000 pieces of gold dug up and gathered together. There were words of farewell to the parents, but the throat choked up first. There were many feelings, many tears flowing face to face, when parting with the wife. Waves big as mountains often astonished this traveler. With laws harsh as tigers,2 I had a taste of all the barbarities. Do not forget this day when you land ashore. Push yourself ahead and do not be lazy or idle.

Beathard 5 No Title The author of this poem describes the difficult and arduous journey to America, by saying that he ate wind and tasted waves throughout the duration of the trip. However, contrary to popular belief and his expectations, the land of America was not as great as he had intended, because he became a prisoner suffering.

Originally, I had intended to come to America last year. Lack of money delayed me until early autumn. It was on the day that the Weaver Maiden met the Cowherd1 That I took passage on the President Lincoln. I ate wind and tasted waves for more than twenty days. Fortunately, I arrived safely on the American continent. I thought I could land in a few days. How was I to know I would become a prisoner suffering in the wooden building? The barbarians'2 abuse is really difficult to take. When my family's circumstances stir my emotions, a double stream of tears flow. I only wish I can land in San Francisco soon. Thus sparing me the additional sorrow here.

Beathard 6 No Title The author of this poem describes the dreadful life in America, due to imprisonment, loneliness, and long, depressing days.

Imprisoned in the wooden building day after day, My freedom withheld; how can I bear to talk about it? I look to see who is happy but they only sit quietly. I am anxious and depressed and cannot fall asleep. The days are long and bottle constantly empty; my sad mood, even so, is not dispelled. Nights are long and the pillow cold; who can pity my loneliness? After experiencing such loneliness and sorrow, Why not just return home and learn to plow the fields?

Beathard 7 No Title The author of this poem describes how the depiction of America as a land of opportunity is false and how the prison-like life is not what this immigrant had in mind.

Instead of remaining a citizen of China, I willingly became an ox. I intended to come to America to earn a living. The Western styled buildings are lofty; but I have not the luck to live in them. How was anyone to know that my dwelling place would be a prison?

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Works Cited: "Chinese in California." Chinese in California. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2013.

"Growth of Cities." - AP U.S. History Topic Outlines. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2013.

"Heath Anthology of American LiteratureCarved on the Walls: Poetry by Early Chinese Immigrants - Author Page." Heath Anthology of American LiteratureCarved on the Walls: Poetry by Early Chinese Immigrants - Author Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2013.

"KQED : Pacific Link: The KQED Asian Education Initiative: History: The Poetry of Angel Island: Second Poem." History: The Poetry of Angel Island: Second Poem. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2013.

"The Chinese in California: About the Collection." The Chinese in California: About the Collection. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2013.