Half and Half by Amy Tan: Summary, Analysis & Themes

Half and Half by Amy Tan: Summary, Analysis & Themes

‘Half and Half’ is a story from Amy Tan’s 1989 novel, The Joy Luck Club . Narrated by Rose Hsu Jordan, a Chinese-American woman, the story intertwines two significant events in her life. One is the breakdown of her marriage to Ted, an American man, and the other is the tragic drowning of her younger brother, Bing, during her childhood. The narrative explores themes of faith, fate, and hope, drawing on the cultural tension between Rose's Chinese heritage and her American life. Plot Summary of Half and Half by Amy Tan The Divorce and Loss of Faith Rose Hsu Jordan narrates the story, reflecting on her mother’s loss of faith and her own recent divorce from Ted, her husband of 17 years. Ted, a medical student when they first met, took control of their relationship and marriage. He made all the decisions, including their marriage despite skepticism from both their families. Rose’s mother disapproved of Ted being American, and Ted’s mother was concerned about the racial prejudice against a…