e war between China and Japan isconstantly mentioned, remaining in the background during most of the book.References to Japanese and Chinese tactics, meetings, bombings, andAmerican help are constant. All the time battles are mentioned as well asa chronology of the events of the war. Important facts such as citytakeovers are noted and in some cases details are given. For example,counts of casualties were presented during a discussion of Japanesedestruction of a Chinese capital city - the information goes almostunnoticed by the reader, yet it remains the back of one's mind and servesas a fact which in widens the reader's scope of knowledge.Amy Tan's book is filled with historical notes. Such things associal conflict in China and the morals of people of that era areconstantly mentioned and whole sub plots in the book are dedicated toaccounts dealing with social conditions and relations. A whole portion,for example, is devoted to Winnie's, the main character's, father. Thefather goes from being a powerful and rich to a poor and ruined man. Thefull tale of why and how the father got to be that way is included in thebook, providing the reader with insights about the time period, events,and social politics.Reading literature that explores another culture is very importantto today's teens, so it is very beneficial to include books such as TheKitchen God's Wife in American Literature curriculums. Today's teens areraised on mostly American backgrounds with American heritage and Americancustoms. Because of the vast size of this country and the diversity ofits people, the teens do not get an adequate exposure to history andculture of other countries. It is very important to broaden and diversifyteenagers' minds, and placing books with as much information in them asThe Kitchen God's Wife into American Literature curriculums is anefficient way to get teenagers to broaden their horizons....
