American perception of the Chinese fuels many stereotypes that have become widespread. So common are these stereotypes that one simply begins to assume that they reflect the truth. The popularity of these stereotypes has influenced Chinese authors and illustrators to either play on their absurdity or challenge their validity. In The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang and Sonny Liew, one can see the authors both engaging and challenging stereotypes regarding Asian Americans.
Hank’s mother plays a significant role in the book because she reinforces and challenges many stereotypes that Americans have of Chinese American women. Hank’s mother is depicted as a physically short, judgemental, “mouthy ching-chong”, “AIYA!” saying woman, who agrees to a loveless marriage and ruthlessly forces her son to pursue her ambitions. At the same time, the audience sees Hank’s mother beyond the callous facade that is presented in American stereotypes of Chinese American women. By the end of the book, the audience sees that Hank’s mother cares for him enough to look for him all night and to cheer him on in his endeavors. At the end of the book, Hank’s mother is an understanding, accepting, encouraging and happy woman.
The authors also depict American stereotypes surrounding the Chinese through the physical depiction of other characters in the book and the structure of the criminal underworld dynasty. Take for example the crooked Moe who is shown disguised as a Chinese man with unrealistically bright yellow skin, slanted eyes, crooked teeth, exaggerated arched brows and a long, thin mustache. In all, Moe is presented as one of the “the sneaky slant-eyed bastards” that Detective Lawful explicitly describes. In addition, the Chinese traditions regarding rightful power are shown through the leadership of Ten Grand. Ten Grand refuses to choose a female heir and hosts a fight to find a rightful male heir. When Ten Grand dies and fails to choose a male heir, his daughters take power. However, Red Center and her sisters are shown having trouble leading the criminal empire. The authors show that it is not common in the Chinese tradition for women to take such powerful leadership roles.
After presenting all the stereotypes and traditions, the authors subtly challenge them. The authors show that many of these stereotypes and traditions that many Chinese Americans are bound to can be abandoned for a new start. This becomes clear when the turtle and dragon spirit converse. Dragon, the eldest brother, hangs on to the idea of creating a dynasty and ruling it; meanwhile, turtle, the youngest brother, strives for something new. In the end, turtle triumphs over the dragon. This shows the acceptance of Chinese Americans for new ideas and a new start. More importantly, through the 19-year-old Hank and his role as a Chinese superhero, Yang and Liew break the stereotype that a superhero is a Gwailo (white). Hank succeeds in being a superhero and in protecting his people with the help of the turtle spirit. Together Hank and the spirit represent the new and Americanized generation, unrestricted to stereotypes.
