American Panda

Mama Lu and Mr. Lu are Taiwanese immigrants who have raised their children, Mei and Xing, with traditional Chinese values and rituals. They came to America individually and met in graduate school in Missouri. Mama Lu felt like her time was running out to get married and have children, so she quickly married Mei’s father despite not knowing him or being in love with him; she hoped that love would come after. After their marriage, Mr. Lu’s parents, Yeye and Nainai, pressured them to have a son because, as the eldest son, Mr. Lu was expected to pass on the family name. When Xing was born, he was immediately taken from his mother to Taiwan to be raised by Nanai and Aunt Yilong at Yeye’s side, who was dying of emphysema. Mama Lu became bitter and resentful even when Xing was returned to her after Yeye’s death. Mei was unplanned, and for all her life, Mei believed that she wasn’t wanted because her mother took her resentment out on her. Mama Lu raised Mei to be obedient and subservient, just as she was raised. Mr. Lu doted on Mei as a child, but as she grew, he became more aloof and stoic. Mei’s parents believe in traditional cultural values of male superiority and female subservience, causing them to view their children’s desire for autonomy as rebellion.

Mei tries to communicate her desire to carve her own path, even if it conflicts with their restrictive ideals. Her father stubbornly holds onto his values, which Mei understands may be his way of coping with his own childhood. If he accepts Mei as she is, his upbringing becomes pointlessly brutal. However, Mei has more success with her mother, who can relate to how Mei feels. Mama Lu admits to hating her own subservient upbringing and ultimately regrets raising Mei in the same manner. She apologizes for her smothering behavior and the resentment she has held over Mei her whole life. Mama Lu slowly accepts Mei’s relationships with Darren and Xing. She wants to be in Xing’s son’s life despite resistance from her husband, proving that she is rebellious in her own way. Although she continues her traditional role as wife and struggles to let go of long-held prejudices, in the end, she makes an effort to become a more accepting and nurturing mother figure for her children.

Darren is Mei’s love interest who introduces her to more of the MIT campus and culture. He is also a biology student and is of Japanese descent. However, as a third-generation American who does not speak any Japanese, he does not feel connected to his culture in the way Mei does. Darren is funny and confident, and he actively pursues Mei despite her misgivings about dating him against her parents’ wishes. He is attracted to Mei’s sense of humor and her courage in standing up for others who experience racial insensitivity like she has. He is also considerate and kind, listening to Mei as she communicates her parental issues and struggles with her own cultural identity. He is impressed by her strength, resilience, and ability to speak Mandarin. To Mei’s surprise, Darren isn’t turned off by her fear of germs or her challenging home life. Mei is jealous of Darren’s passion for biology, which stems from his wonder of the human body and curiosity about the unpredictability of the field. He plans to seek a career in academia as a professor or researcher.

Overall, Darren’s role in the novel is to show Mei that some of her parents’ ideas are outdated and damaging. Holding prejudices against Japanese people because of Japan’s history with Taiwan is unfair, and Mama Lu’s eventual acceptance of Darren proves that such prejudices can be overcome. Additionally, Darren shows Mei that taking risks and following her heart can lead to happiness and empowerment.