Research Paper on:
A Comparison of 'Two Kinds' by Amy Tan and 'First Confessions' by Frank O'Connor

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
story explores specific aspects of this narrative, which includes briefly comparing it to Frank OConnors "First Confessions." 1. "Two Kinds" are short stories that explore the psychological world  of childhood, addressing some of the stresses that children undergo. In each case, the author takes the reader directly into the thoughts of the child-protagonist by using the first person.  However, because the narrative voice is that of the protagonist as an adult, recounting a childhood experience, each author is able to condense time, offering exposition on some points,  detail on others. For example, OConnors protagonist, a seven-year-old boy named "Jackie," tells the reader that his sister, Nora, "sucked up" to his grandmother, rather than show Nora  in the act of sucking up by describing specific actions in real-time, which is what would have been required had the story from the viewpoint of the child when the  events were actually happening. Likewise, Tams protagonist is looking back at her relationship with her mother as an adult after her mother has passed away. From an adult perspective, she  can understand both her own actions, as a child, and her mothers motivation in constantly pushing her to be a prodigy. Nevertheless, the stories are quite different in their  structure. "First Confession" recounts the events of a brief period in Jackies life. Therefore, Jackies perspective does not alter a great deal over the course of the narrative. He simply  comes to terms with his guilt feelings toward his grandmother and sister, through confession, and gains a more positive view of religion from talking with an understanding and compassionate priest.  "Two Kind," on the other hand, encompasses a span of years. Therefore, Jing-mei goes from believing her mothers predictions of greatness -- "...in the beginning I was just as excited