The Chickencoop Chinaman and the Year of the Dragon: Two Plays

Although it's true that his plays can sometimes be crude and sophomoric, there are passages in "The Chickencoop Chinaman" that foretell Mr. Chin's eventual success as an essayist and novelist - particularly in wistful and mournful monologues from the protagonist, in direct address to the audience, about childhood heroes (believing, for example, that The Lone Ranger was certainly Chinese behind that mask), and other dynamic movements that capture, and inspire, a sense of the spirit and discovery that must have permeated the burgeoning Asian-American movement of the 1970s. "The Year Of The Dragon", conversely, is more typically a real "play", structurally conforming with classic American modes of expression.

to challenge the stereotypes of Chinese. You need only read these famous lines in Chickencoop Chinaman: "Chinamen are made, not born, my dear. Out of junk-imports, lies, railraod scrap iron, dirty jokes, broken bottles, cigar smoke, Cosquilla Indian blood, wino spit, and lots of milk of amnesia." It's no wonder that this play is the first Asian American play produced off-Broadway. It is controversial (for good reason), angry, and thought-provoking. Did you know that George Takei played Fred Eng in The Year of the Dragon?

...in America! That alone should give you a reason to read these important plays. These plays caused an uproar of controversy and discussion. Why? Because many Westerners (and Westernized Asians) had no clue of what it really meant to be Asian. Do you? If not, you should start by reading Chickencoop Chinaman or Year of the Dragon. If you would like a more academic discussion on this controversy you should purchase THE BIG AIIIEEEEE!....