Hodges outlines an "immigrant credo": "to be able to give your children what you did not have yourself." Her immigrant mother passed on her love of music and worked tirelessly to ensure that Hodges and her siblings could have instruments and lessons.
In what ways is the violin an opportunity but also an obligation for Hodges? Did her mother succeed in giving her daughter what she didn't have herself? How did the stereotype of the Asian "Tiger Mother" harm her mother in family court, in her relationship with Hodges's father, and in society as a whole?
8. In what ways is the violin an opportunity but also an obligation for Hodges?
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Our program is here to foster an inclusive, welcoming environment for all readers. To keep our community respectful and engaging, please follow these guidelines:
• Be kind and considerate to others.
• Stay on topic, keep discussions constructive, and use appropriate language.
• Trolling, spamming, harassment, or hate speech will not be tolerated.
• Share only original, non-copyrighted material and appropriate content.
• Do not post or share personal details about yourself or others, including real names, addresses, or any other identifying information.
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• Report issues instead of escalating, and respect moderator decisions.
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smkelly
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lanlynk
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Re: 8. In what ways is the violin an opportunity but also an obligation for Hodges?
The sacrifices the mother makes for Natalie--providing a violin, music lessons, and other privileges--is an opportunity for the daughter to have a more rewarding life than she herself has had. It's a gift of love. Natalie respects this gift, but obligation overshadows opportunity. The gift comes with expectations, robbing Natalie of the natural joy she might have had in music. Pleasure is lost in the pressure to perform as Natalie is compelled to practice hours a day, always striving for perfection, never being content to just love the music.
I think the stereotype of the Tiger Mother makes it tougher on both mother and daughter. The label is negative and so brings even more issues into the situation. The tug-of-war between opportunity and obligation gets worse. Natalie can't help but question her mother's motives and good wishes for her future. And the mother feels insecure in her own mothering skills, culture, and goals for her daughter.
I think the stereotype of the Tiger Mother makes it tougher on both mother and daughter. The label is negative and so brings even more issues into the situation. The tug-of-war between opportunity and obligation gets worse. Natalie can't help but question her mother's motives and good wishes for her future. And the mother feels insecure in her own mothering skills, culture, and goals for her daughter.