Two Kinds by Amy Tan

The story, "Two Kinds," by Amy Tan describes the struggle between a dominate mother who tries to protect her daughter, Ni kan, from the devastating losses that she suffered by convincing her that she might become anyone she wants to be. Ni kan resents her mother's control and wishes only to be herself. The author clearly illustrates in this story that parents can not control their children's lives; they can only guide them in the …

…story that parents never can truly control children. Children come to with their own minds and spirits, and develop their own hopes and dreams that parents can not silence. She also points out that even obedient children who do as they are told still have willful thoughts. Ni kan shows us that good children will disappoint their parents over and over; not because they're bad, but because they can only be who they are, themselves.