After Cowboy Chicken Came to Town

Opening the piece with the quote “I want my money back!” (page 184) initially sets a tense mood, which is present throughout the story. Specifically, there is tension between Mr. Shapiro and the employees, and then later between both Mr. Shapiro and Peter and the employees. Throughout the story, I noticed two themes: hypocrisy and misunderstandings. Most of the hypocrisy is related to Mr. Shapiro. For example, “he always appeared good-hearted and considerate to customers, but was cruel to us, his employees” (page 186). Additionally, he wants his employees to work hard yet doesn’t work hard himself, advertises an all-you-can-eat buffet but tries to stop a customer from buying a second buffet meal, and enforces a no discount policy but gives his friend Susanna discounts. Jinglin was also hypocritical. After finding out that Peter burned leftover chicken for his job, Jinglin called him a “capitalist’s henchman” (page 217). Peter points out that Jinglin is also one. Instead of burning chicken for a job, Jinglin cooks it. Regarding misunderstandings, the story is full of language barriers, specifically between the Chinese and English language. Additionally, the story closes with a misunderstanding, in which the employees are fired for writing a note declaring they would strike the Cowboy Chicken, which Mr. Shapiro took to mean they would bomb the restaurant. Aside from hypocrisy and misunderstanding, a reoccurring element in the story was irony. In particular, the man in the opening scene insults Americans in general, but is eating at an American restaurant. Additionally, Peihai, who was once picked on as a child, returns from America handsome and prosperous. He was once ridiculed, but now has a reason to be respected. Lastly, it is ironic that Mr. Shapiro apparently has a lot of money but won’t pay for his dates’ dinners. Additionally, the story presents America as a symbol of prosperity and hope. The phrase “the American way” is mentioned multiple times when referring to making improvements in Cowboy Chicken. A wedding dinner is also held in the fast food restaurant. Since, in Chinese culture, weddings are so expensive and important, the admiration that the Chinese have for the American restaurant is exemplified. Regarding Chinese culture, the quote “[Mr. Shapiro] must have wanted to live in Moscow for a while and have another baby, hopefully a boy” (page 202) and the fact that he abandoned his two daughters reflects the idea that boys are useful and desired, whereas girls are unwanted. Lastly, the only animals referred to in the piece were “crocodile,” “alligator,” and “bear.” This may reflect the attitudes of the characters. All three of the animals mentioned are fierce and carnivorous, reflecting the tension and suspicions between the characters. VOCABULARY: 1. Mood: a prevailing atmosphere or feeling (dictionary.com) 2. Theme: a unifying or dominant idea, motif, etc., as in a work of art (dictionary.com) 3. Irony: a use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning (dictionary.com)