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50 pages 1 hour read

Laurence Yep

Dragonwings

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1975

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Background

Literary Context: Laurence Yep’s Golden Mountain Chronicles

Dragonwings is the first installment of Yep’s historical fiction series Golden Mountain Chronicles, which consists of 10 books. In order, the novels included in the series are: The Serpent’s Children, published in 1984 and set in 1849; Mountain Light, published in 1985 and set in 1855; Dragon’s Gate, published in 1993 and set in 1867; The Traitor, published in 2003 and set in 1885; Dragonwings, published in 1975 and set in 1903; Dragon Road, published in 2007 and set in 1939; Child of the Owl, published in 1977 and set in 1960; Sea Glass, published in 1979 and set in 1970; Thief of Hearts, published in 1995 and set in 1995; and Dragons of Silk, published in 2011. Each narrative spans several generations, and the entirety of the series covers an ambitious time frame, stretching from 1835 to 2011.

At its heart, the Golden Mountain Chronicles is a family saga that traces the history of the Young clan, following the lives of several generations from the late 19th century to the early 2010s. Beginning his epic narrative in China, Yep uses the Young clan’s lives to trace the larger history of Chinese immigration to America. In terms of narrative sequence, Dragonwings fits approximately in the middle of the series. A common characteristic of all the novels is Yep’s insertion of historical facts into the fictional narrative. In Dragonwings, for example, Yep deftly weaves the character’s lives around several historical events that instruct readers on the realities of the times in addition to driving the novel’s plot forward. For example, the Great Earthquake that devastated San Francisco in 1906 provides a plot twist that presents a new challenge in the characters’ lives. Similarly, the life of Fung Joe Guey, a Chinese immigrant who lived in San Francisco in the early 20th century and pioneered the construction of airplanes, provides the inspiration for Windrider Lee’s dreams of flying: a primary motive force in Dragonwings. Even the phrase “Golden Mountain” is a term that was historically used by early Chinese immigrants to refer to the city of San Francisco itself. The term also relates to the California gold rush, which drew many Chinese immigrants to the United States. Yep explores the development of Chinese American cultural identity, as well as the conflicts that arose between Chinese traditions and white American culture.

Historical Context: Chinese Immigration to San Francisco in the Early 20th Century

Chinese immigration to America began in the mid-19th century and was initiated by a series of socio-political events. The Opium Wars between China and Britain led to a crisis in China, and the gold rushes and the railroad construction in the United States drove diverse groups of Chinese people from their homeland in search of new opportunities. Upon arriving in America, Chinese immigrants pursued a variety of occupations and started their own communities in a new land. Recent historical studies note that “[i]n pursuing these new economic opportunities, Chinese immigrants played a vital role in the social and cultural development of the American West” (Lan Cassel, Susie, ed., The Chinese in America: A History from Gold Mountain to the New Millenium, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2002). However, Chinese immigrants also faced growing hostility from white Americans. The economic crisis of the 1870s and the lack of jobs caused an increase in violence against Chinese people and eventually led to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which banned the immigration of Chinese laborers to the United States for 10 years. All Chinese immigrants from this point had to meet specific standards to migrate to or remain in America. Despite significant economic and cultural struggles and constant racial discrimination, the Chinese community nonetheless established itself as part of American society.

Dragonwings focuses on the Chinese community of San Francisco at the turn of the 20th century. The settlement was predominantly male, as socio-economic factors inhibited the influx of Chinese women and families into the United States. Generally, the female Chinese population was particularly low. As Yep describes in the story, Chinese immigrants mostly worked in or around Chinatown, which was a segregated district. Discriminatory policies actively inhibited social interaction between white Americans and Chinese people. Chinatown therefore functioned as a community with a close-knit social and cultural structure. On the other hand, exclusion and hostility restricted the economic mobility of the Chinese people. During this time frame, the community of San Francisco became overcrowded and was plagued by a series of criminal activities. The earthquake and fires of 1906 in San Francisco exacerbated the problem by destroying a large part of the city and most of Chinatown. Despite attempts by authorities to expel Chinese people, they remained and managed to rebuild their town.

Historical Context: The San Francisco Earthquake and Fires of 1906

The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 is a significant plot point in Yep’s story. Also known as the Great Earthquake, it was a high-magnitude quake that destroyed a large part of San Francisco and is still considered to be the most deadly earthquake in the history of the United States. Thousands of people were killed. Many buildings collapsed or were severely damaged, leaving many of the city’s residents without homes. The fires that raged through the city following the earthquake also contributed to the overall destruction. In the aftermath, the survivors that gathered in makeshift tents in parks around San Francisco faced a prolonged ordeal. The events had a significant impact on the city’s function and economy; therefore, plans for reconstruction were quickly implemented.

Yep’s story explores how the earthquake and fires affected the Chinese community of San Francisco. The Chinese residents saw most of their town and businesses destroyed, and a period of displacement followed as the local authorities persecuted the Chinese population and planned to expel them from San Francisco. The military rounded up Chinese people who had gathered along with other survivors in parks and moved them to specifically designated camps around the city. Simultaneously, the state prohibited the return of any Chinese residents to their homes in Chinatown. As a result, many Chinese people moved away to cities like Oakland, while a small population remained in San Francisco. The overwhelming need to reconstruct the city forced white residents and authorities alike to recognize the overall economic contributions of the Chinese community to San Francisco, and city officials eventually allowed them to return. The Chinese residents of San Francisco moved forward with resilience, reconstructing Chinatown and maintaining their businesses and community. 

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