Eat a Bowl of Tea
Eat a Bowl of Tea is a 1961 novel by Louis Chu. It was the first Chinese American novel set in Chinese America. Because of its portrayal of the "bachelor society" in New York's Chinatown after World War II, it has become an important work in Asian American studies. It has been cited as an influence by such authors as Frank Chin and Maxine Hong Kingston. It was made into a film of the same name by Wayne Wang in 1989.
The novel focuses on four primary characters: a young married couple, Ben Loy and Mei Oi, and their fathers, Wah Gay and Lee Gong. Chu uses their stories illuminate conflicts between Chinese ideals and traditions and contemporary American society.
Explanation on the novel's title
The title of the novel comes into play when Ben Loy takes the initiative to ask a Chinese herb specialist, Dr. Suey, if he has anything that would cure his impotence. The doctor responds, "Eat a bowl of tea and we'll get you on the way to recovery". Although the tea is "thick, black, bitter... not easy to swallow", Ben Loy "kept going back to the herb doctor uncomplainingly". Whether it is the beneficial effect of the tea or a change in Ben Loy himself, Ben Loy regains his manhood at the conclusion of the novel."Eating" this tea represents Ben Loy breaking the rules and regulations of Chinese customs – rather than drink the tea, he "eats" it. Additionally, it represents Ben Loy's decision to release himself from the pressure and control of his father and independently create a life for himself and his family. By doing so, Ben Loy regains his masculinity both literally and figuratively.
Plot summary
Eat a Bowl of Tea begins by describing newlyweds Ben Loy and Mei Oi sleeping peacefully in their bed in New York City. They are abruptly awakened by a prostitute ringing the doorbell. Ben Loy, ashamed of his pre-marital history with prostitutes, lies to protect his secret from his "innocent, pure" wife.The story then jumps backwards several months to the "Money Come" gambling house and the men who spend their days there: Wah Gay, Lee Gong, Chong Loo and Ah Song. The text depicts the close friendship between Wah Gay and Lee Gong : the beginning of the Chinese migration|Chinese immigrants with wives back in Guangdong ), and a conversation concerning their unmarried children ensues. Upon learning that Wah Gay has a marriageable son here in the States, Lee Gong spies on him at his restaurant and decides that he is the right man for his daughter, who is still in China. He and Wah Gay decide that Ben Loy will go to China and bring back Mei Oi as his bride. The two men write their wives in anticipation.
Although Ben Loy seems to be the epitome of a "good boy," he has a secret life. When he is not busy working at the restaurant, he and his roommate Chin Yuen visit white prostitutes in New York City, a habit Ben Loy picked up while serving in the Army during World War II. Ben Loy becomes addicted to these sexual flings, often sleeping with numerous prostitutes in a night. Without the permission of his father – who wants Ben Loy to stay in Stanton, away from the temptations of New York – Ben Loy and Chin Yuen move to an apartment on Manhattan's Catherine Street.
When Wah Gay approaches Ben Loy about going to Sunwei, China to find a bride, Ben Loy is skeptical and unwilling. But he eventually warms to the idea of bringing a bride with him back to America and raising a family, and he assents to his family's wish. When he meets Mei Oi in China, he decides that he made the right decision – he is immediately enthralled by her beauty and pleased by her modesty and courtesy. After such ceremonial practices as the employment of matchmakers and the approval of the Fourth Uncle, the families plan a traditional wedding. Their Chinese wedding is mirrored by a Chinese wedding banquet back in Chinatown.
Her arrival in New York should be a happy time for Mei Oi, as she is finally able to meet her father and to experience life in a big city. However, she feels lonely in the city and spends her days sobbing over her deteriorating marriage, not understanding the causes of Ben Loy's impotence. Although they made love during their first few weeks of marriage, since their arrival in New York he no longer appears to desire her affection, even when she attempts to arouse him. This rejection deeply hurts, frustrates and confuses Mei Oi, and she concludes that Ben Loy no longer loves her. It is not long before the novelty of living in Chinatown and marrying a gimshunhock wears off. Mei Oi insists that Ben Loy consult a doctor about his impotency – he tries both an American doctor and a Chinese herb specialist, but to no avail.
In July, an unexpected visitor appears at their apartment: Ah Song, a frequent Money Come guest who flirts shamelessly with Mei Oi while Ben Loy is at work, claiming to be deeply in love with her and divulging Ben Loy's secret shameful past. Confused and overpowered, Mei Oi is raped by Ah Song. In spite of the rape, they kindle a relationship and a secret affair begins.
Mei Oi soon discovers that she is pregnant, but does not know who the father is. She continues her affair with Ah Song, oblivious to the increasing gossip that she is "knitting Ben Loy a green hat" – sleeping with another man. Eventually Soon Lee Gong, Wah Gay, and finally Ben Loy learn of the affair. The tong mocks the family and Mei Oi realizes the magnitude of shame she has brought upon them.
The neighborhood eventually assumes the identity of the man as Ah Song, and Ben Loy and Mei Oi move to Stanton to avoid further embarrassment. Even the affections of Chin Yuen, Ben Loy's closest companion, cannot distract Mei Oi from the pain she feels away from Ah Song, and she eventually convinces Ben Loy to move back to New York.
Back in the old apartment, the affair resumes right where it left off. Wah Gay, crazed by the shame this affair has brought upon his family, lurks near the apartment and attacks Ah Song as he leaves, slicing off his ear. When Ah Song presses charges, Wah Gay flees to a friend's home in New Jersey. However, because he is so well-connected in his tong through multitudes of devoted and powerful family members, he is not penalized for his actions. Ah Song, on the other hand, is exiled for five years. But Wah Gay and Lee Gong are too embarrassed to remain in the community and leave New York, heading their separate ways in solitude.
Ben Loy and Mei Oi decide to free themselves of all family and community ties by starting anew in San Francisco. The birth of their child, Kuo Ming, and a new environment allow them to grow closer and mend previous wrongs. Ben Loy visits another Chinese herb specialist and decides to take the doctor's advice and "eat a bowl of tea" to treat his impotence. Whether it is the herbs or the increase in Ben Loy's independence, his masculinity is finally restored in all senses of the word.
Major characters
In order of prevalence and importance:Central Characters
- Wang Ben Loy
- Lee Mei Oi
- Wang Wah Gay
- Lee Gong
- Ah Song
Chinatown neighbors
- Chin Yuen
- Wang Wing Sim
- Eng Shee
- Wang Chuck Ting
- Mee King
Characters in China
- Lau Shee
- Jung Shee
Minor characters
- Kuo Ming – Ben Loy and Mei Oi's first child; although the identity of the true father is unknown, Ben Loy considers the baby his own and the newborn served as a bond that made husband and wife closer
- Chong Loo – An old rent collector and Chinatown's biggest gossip
- Tuck King and Kitchen Master – Cooks at Money Come; Kitchen Master buys Money Come when Wah Gay leaves New York
- Dr. Suey – Herb doctor in San Francisco who instructs Ben Loy to "eat a bowl of tea" to treat his impotence
- Wang Wah Lim – Wah Gay's elder brother
- Bok Hey – Ben Loy's uncle; blessed with three sons: Do Sing, Do Dot, and Do Ming
- Aunt Gin Fung – Ben Loy's aunt; matchmaker for the marriage between Ben Loy and Mei Oi
- Ling Hing – Mei Oi's uncle; embodies "Old Tradition" of Chinese culture
- Wang Fook Ming – Wah Gay's cousin; Vice President of the Wang Association
- Ah Mow and Ah Sing – Barbers at Wah Que Barbershop who encourage the gossip of Chong Loo
- Lee Sam – Lee Gong's old roommate; in a psychiatric hospital in Long Island after being beaten and robbed in their apartment
- Ging Fong – Chinese language secretary in the legal conflict between Wah Gay and Ah Song; also referred to as Third Uncle
- George D. Dong – English language secretary
- Lao Chuck – One of Wah Gay's many cousins; tells Ah Song to drop charges pressed upon Wah Gay
- Ho Soon – President of Ping On Tong
- Reverend Fook Ming – Marries Ben Loy and Mei Oi
Setting and historical context
- Sunwei, China
- Stanton, Connecticut
- Washington, D.C.
- Newark, New Jersey
- San Francisco, CA
Another aspect of the novel is the effect of Chinese American men on life back in China. Chinese men who had emigrated to the United States were known as gimshunhocks, or "sojourner in Gold Mountain" from the Chinese name for America. These men were highly desirable husbands for young women in China, as is seen in Mei Oi's willingness to marry Ben Loy.
Point of view
The novel is told by a third-person omniscient narrator – one who is able to reach and relay the thoughts, feelings, and actions of the characters. Yet, thoughts and feelings of minor characters are usually withheld in order for readers to focus on relating to the major figures in the novel. There are points in the novel when the reader knows more about a situation or character than anyone in the actual story – this unique situation allows for thorough analysis or characters and the development of suspense.Structure
Although the novel does not begin at the earliest chronological point of the story, it also does not follow the typical structure of in medias res. It starts near the beginning of the time span of the story, depicting Ben Loy and Mei Oi as a married couple sleeping in the "quiet of the early morning". As this peaceful scene is unnervingly interrupted by a prostitute ringing Ben Loy's doorbell, the purpose of the passage becomes apparent. It highlights the cause of Ben Loy's impotency and the effect this has on Mei Oi, foreshadowing the deterioration of their relationship. By setting an ominous tone and introducing complicated primary characters, the first chapter engages readers and creates a desire to know more about their history and future.The narrative then jumps back in time to "several months before the wedding" and continues chronologically from this point on. This chronological order is interrupted only after the first chapter when the text reveals an important memory to the reader, usually triggered by something in the character's present environment.
Ben Loy waited for his turn at the doctor's office...sitting opposite a lady who had followed him in. Momentarily he turned from his magazine to the lady...Shapely legs...The well proportioned legs drew his attention and reminded him of one day in Calcutta.
With this sudden remembrance, the narration describes Ben Loy's rendezvous with a prostitute through third person direct discourse. After this scene, the story returns to normal, chronological order. Although these memories are rare, they help portray character traits and provide history to explain current situations.
Syntax and diction
By keeping sentences relatively simple and throwing in various cultural terms and phrases, Chu makes his novel both authentic and readable.- Numerous instances of insults and bad language destroy any stiff formality and provide readers with an honest perspective of life in an overwhelmingly male society:
- *Ex: "Wow his mother/father", "Go sell your ass", "sonovabitch", "dead girl/boy"
- Text parallels the speech of Asian Americans by sporadically including Sze Yup dialect – Chinese terms and unfamiliar phrases:
- *Ex: "You have a warm heart", "green hat", "Don't stand on ceremony", "Fatty water should not be permitted to flow into another's rice paddy"
- letters
- interior monologues
- songs
- most Chinese terms
- *These italicized sections of the text represent the most personal glimpses into the characters of the novel. As letters, free discourse, and songs allow round characters to reveal a deeper side of themselves, the terms provide readers with a taste of Chinese culture.
- "He...picked up his leather slipper from the floor. His hand must have come down at least half a dozen times".
- "In the kitchen the white-enameled pot stood mute and unused, the lone cup of tea on the table forgotten and untouched. Later when they both got up, Mei Oi started to sob, very softly".
- "Ah Song's left ear fell to the floor".
Formal techniques
Chu utilizes various literary techniques to make his story come alive for readers.Metaphor:
- "He was a stranger in his own town".
- "The black hand of darkness seemed ready to swoop down from the clouds to grab him".
- "White flakes floated down upon the street...like white-grained rice husks flying from the milling closet".
- "The years have passed like the mere closing and opening of the eye".
- "...the room was like a dimly-lit tunnel".
- "The question exploded on Ben Loy like ten thousand firecrackers".
- "Now this boulder came tumbling out of the sky, like an exhausted satellite, and crash-landed on Wah Gay's head".
- "It would be like starting anew, changing a spoiled blouse for a new one".
- "Everything was white. The whole world was white".
- "...ten thousand folds of mountains away from home".
- "His head spun with pains. Big pains. As big as a boulder".
- "Lee Gong let go a typhoon-sized sigh of relief".
- "He gently dropped her on the...bed".
- In Sunwei, the "Golden Mountain" discussed represents America.
- Dramatic -"He immediately compared Mei Oi to Gim Peng Moy. Are they the same type of woman? No...he consoled himself".
- *Chin Yuen is the only one Ben Loy confides in about Mei Oi's affair, but readers know that Chin Yuen fantasizes about having an affair with Mei Oi.
- Situational – Although Wah Gay attacks Ah Song, Ah Song is the one who is exiled for five years.
- Verbal – "Everybody likes sex, you know".
Major themes
- On the surface, Ben Loy appears like a "good boy", yet he is covering up secrets of a promiscuous past.
- Mei Oi is from China and therefore is expected to be good, courteous, and understanding; instead she resumes the behavior of a jook sing girl.
- Ben Loy and Mei Oi are under constant pressure from their parents and society to maintain traditional values while living in contemporary America.
- *Other contrasts: Ben Loy visiting a Chinese herb doctor as well as an American doctor; Ben Loy and Mei Oi's marriage being both arranged and mutually chosen
- Carrying on the family name and reputation is important, therefore grandchildren are anticipated and boy babies are valued over girl babies
- The text even portrays family ties overriding the law. Although Wah Gay attacks Ah Song, he receives no punishment and Ah Song is exiled.
- *Ah Song, who has no family to speak of, states the amount of power placed on family ties: "A big stone will crush to death a crab".
- It is only socially accepted for a man to have an affair:
"Husbands are different...They can go out and sleep with another woman and we woman folks can't do anything about it".
- *Therefore, Mei Oi becomes the "man" in the marriage when she has an affair; this is reflected in Ben Loy's loss of manhood.
- Ben Loy regains his masculinity only when he establishes himself as an independent person and as the dominant one in the relationship.
Motifs
- Vicious cycle portrayed most aptly through Wah Gay attacking Ah Song
- Both Ben Loy and Mei Oi are described as "being lost in a forest", showing their confusement:
"...Ben Loy seemed like a little boy, lost in the wilderness, not knowing which way to turn".
"...she was like a child lost in thick forest".
Luck:
- Races and mah jong
- Many characters give luck credit for events: "He attributed to good luck the peaceful situation of his first case of love theft".
Symbols
- The Fourth Uncle consults this to confirm the most auspicious day for the marriage
- Represents traditional practices of the Old Generation
- Represents an escape from reality for Mei Oi:
"Mei Oi had discovered that the movies had a relaxing influence on her; so that, after a night out, her inner frustrations became less compelling".
- Represents a reminder of reality for Ben Loy:
- *While watching the opera "Gim Peng Moy", he relates the disloyal protagonist to Mei Oi
- Represents temptation, evil, loss of innocence
- Represents parental supervision, reckless mistakes of youth
- Represents emancipation, new beginnings, rebirth
- Represents reinstating masculinity and independence
Literary significance and reception
Critical articles
- Chen, Xiangyang. "Constructions of Chinese Identity in Eat a Bowl of Tea and Chinese Box." Re-Reading America: Changes and Challenges. Ed. Weihe Zhong and Rui Han; Cheltenham, England: Reardon; 2004. pp. 215–26
- Chua, Cheng Lok; "Golden Mountain: Chinese Versions of the American Dream in Lin Yutang, Louis Chu, and Maxine Hong Kingston" Ethnic Groups 1982; 4 : 33-59.
- Hsiao, Ruth Y. "Facing the Incurable: Patriarchy in Eat a Bowl of Tea." Reading the Literatures of Asian America. Ed. Shirley Geok-lin Lim and Amy Ling. Philadelphia: Temple UP; 1992. pp. 151–62
- Li, Shu-yan; "Otherness and Transformation in Eat a Bowl of Tea and Crossings." MELUS 1993–1994 Winter; 18 : 99-110.
- Ling, Jinqi; "Reading for Historical Specificities: Gender Negotiations in Louis Chu's Eat a Bowl of Tea." MELUS 1995 Spring; 20 : 35-51.
- By: Oakes, Pamela J. "Filial Duty and Family Survival in Timothy Mo's The Monkey King and Sour Sweet." Bearing Dream, Shaping Visions: Asian Pacific American Perspectives. Ed. Linda A. Revilla, Gail M. Nomura, Shawn Wong and Shirley Hune. Pullman, WA: Washington State UP; 1993. pp. 141–52
- Prigg, Benson Webster; Transactional Analysis: A Viable Approach for Discussing Human Autonomy in Fictional Texts Dissertation Abstracts International, 1991 Apr; 51 : 3414A. Bowling Green State U.
- By: Shih, David. "Eat a Bowl of Tea by Louis Chu." A Resource Guide to Asian American Literature. Ed. Sau-ling Cynthia Wong and Stephen H. Sumida. New York, NY: Modern Language Association of America; 2001. pp. 45–53