Chinese children growing up in 20th century Canada as reflected in Wayson Choy's The Jade Peony

Abstract

The paper analyzes life of Chinese children growing up in the first half of the 20th century in Canada and takes its evidence from Wayson Choy's The Jade Peony. It deals with difficult living conditions of the Chinese children in Canada, traditional views and expectations of their parents and other people of the community, and their struggle with individual indentities. To provide background for the study of the children's everyday life, history of Chinese immigration in Canada and a policy of Canadian multiculturalism is also explained.