Gish Jen's Typical American - To what extend did Ralph Chang become a typical American? According to the dictionary: If something is typical it shows all the characteristics that you would expect from a stated person, thing or group. Something which is typical might also show all the bad characteristics that you expect from someone or something, often in a way that is annoying. (Dictionary) Ralph, Theresa and Helen, the main characters of Gish Jen's …showed first 75 words of 872 total…

…showed last 75 words of 872 total…extend. Although he never wanted to become one as he perceived the term as something bad, he almost rejected his Chinese origins seeking the American Dream. I believe that the title of the novel is ironic and it is related to all three main characters, especially Ralph. I think that Jen wanted to show the readers that Ralf, who often criticized typical Americans paradoxically became one and did everything he tried to avoid so much.