Typical American by Gish Gen

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 …

…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.