”THE THIRD DUMPSTER” BY GISH JEN

In most parts of the world there are cultural and ethnic differences within a population. Therefor it’s relevant to discuss how to establish a country’s society. In this discussion two answers are regularly presented: assimilation or integration. A society is highly dominated by dissimilarity. All individuals have different backgrounds, stories and experiences, and for that reason all individuals behave differently in a social context. In regards to the concepts of assimilation and integration a question of moral unfolds: Is it required to fully adapt to the country’s culture, traditions, behavior and language, and with that forget your origin?
In the short story “The third dumpster” the author portrays the concepts of integration and assimilation as a contrast. The short story’s main characters, the brothers Goodwin Lee and Morehouse, are Americans with Chinese heritage. Both brothers have found a balance between identifying as American and Chinese. On the contrary their parents only identify as Chinese even though they both have a US citizenship: “And their parents were Chinese, end of story, as Morehouse liked to say. Meaning that though they had been Americans for fifty years and could no longer belay themselves hand over hand up their apartment stair rail to go to their bedroom, they nonetheless could not go into assisted living because of the food” (p. 2 l. 8-11). A distinct separation between the Chinese culture and American culture is presented, due to the fact that their parents’ Chinese nationality isn’t questioned, as they reject the American and in extension the Western culture. Though both parents have been US citizens for fifty years, it’s clear that they aren’t nor want to be assimilated in the American culture. The Brothers, Goodwin Lee and Morehouse, have different approaches to their parents rejection of the Western culture. “Goodwin had brought them to a top-notch facility anyway, just to visit. He had pointed out the smooth smooth paths, so wonderful for walking. He had pointed out the wide wide doorways, so open and inviting […] But, distracted as they could be, his parents had frowned undistracted and replied, Lamb chops! Salad! And that was that (p. 2 l. 12-20). Goodwin is keen on his parents assimilating to the American culture like his has himself, by desperately trying to paint the nursing facility and in extension America and the West as a wonderful country, that offers a lot of opportunities. Unfortunately Goodwin’s attempt to assimilating his parents to the American culture fails, as they won’t accept the American way of living. This doesn’t surprise Morehouse, as he accepts the fact that his parents will never assimilate to the American culture. “Morehouse accepted, as Goodwin did not quite, that their parents were fundamentally different; their Chineseness was inalienable” (p. 2 l. 24-25). As oppose to Goodwin who eagerly tries to change his parent’s mentality towards America and West, Morehouse isn’t quite bothered by it. Morehouse is fully aware of the fact that his parent’s mentality, which is Chinese orientated, will never be replaced by an American mentality, and therefor knows his parents will never assimilate to the American culture, end of story.
Another central contrast the short story bases on is the contrast between the brothers Goodwin and Morehouse. In the short story the brothers are describes as having different personality traits as well as a different understanding of right and wrong. “Of course, the workers were illegal, as Goodwin well knew. He knew too that Morehouse knew Goodwin to be against the use of illegals, and that Morehouse knew Goodwin knew Morehouse knew that” (p. 4 l. 1. 66-68). Here it’s described that Goodwin is a decent and rightful person. As much as he wants to help his parents, he wants to do it rightfully, and struggles with anything illegal. In contrary to Goodwin’s opinion on the illegal workers as wrongful, Morehouse presents a different understanding of his action. “It was about dignity for their parents, said Morehouse. It was about doing what they were able to do. It was about doing what sons were bound to do, which was not to pussyfoot around (p. 3 l. 43-45). Morehouse presents a different understanding of right and wrong, as he overlooks the fact that the hired workers are illegal. As oppose to his brother, this doesn’t bother him. Goodwin justifies his illegal actions by claiming it’s for the good of his parents. Furthermore, he justifies his illegal actions by claiming it’s expected of him as a son to take care of his parents regardless of how he achieves it. To sum up, the contrast between Goodwin and Morehouse also presents a contrast between good and evil.
Besides the use of contrasts Gish Jen’s style of writing is also an important factor in the short story “The third dumpster”. A noticeable trait in Gish Jen’s style of writing is that there is no use of quotation. “House cost nothing, but look how much you spend on renovation, their mother might say. Or How come even you have no job, you hire other people to work?” (p. 5 l. 117-119). This example substantiates the use of no quotation, which results in a sense of confusion for the reader, as there’s no separation between dialogue and thought. Apart from that, the quotation also substantiates the fact that the language varies regarding the characters. In this example the style of writing matches the mother, which is shown in the linguistic. Furthermore the style of writing changes when speaking of Goodwin. “The third dumpster was a little farther away yet. No house nearby; that was because it was for the repurposing of a bowling alley. Who knew what the alley was being repurposed for, but an enormous bowling-pin-shaped sign lay on the ground, leaning horizontally against the cinder-block building. It looked as if the pin had been knocked down for eternity and would never be reset (p. 3 l. 56-60). Here it’s shown that the style of writing, which is very formal and descriptive, is consistent with the character of Goodwin.
To conclude, In the short story “The third dumpster” the Chinese-American
Author Gish Jen answers the question presented in the introduction with her use of integration and assimilation as contrasts. In the story Goodwin and Morehouse’s Chinese parents aren’t assimilated in the American society, but they both speak English, are in the work field and pay taxes. Although they reject the American culture, it shouldn’t be a requirement for them to fully adapt to the country, and give up their Chinese origin. It should be a requirement of balance between the two.