Defining race: Mixed-race relationships in the contemporary Chinese-American novel

This dissertation aims to discuss mixed-race relationships under the framework of contemporary Chinese-American novels. The founding ideal of the American society is structured upon the fact that the distinctiveness of the American nation stems from the mixing of different races into a nation called Americans. The mixing of races in America was not that easy due to racism, discrimination and social prejudices. The discussion of contemporary Chinese-American novels suggests that mixed-race relationships in American society are based on descent rather than the consent of individuals.First, this study aims to provide the reader with a historical background of Chinese-Americans for the purpose of demonstrating the uniqueness of their experiences, starting with the reason of their immigration to America, and their major roles in the development of American history. After presenting a historical account of race, this dissertation discusses that the increase in mixed-race relationships does not mean that racially discriminatory acts have come to an end. Mixed-race relationships in American society are still considered aberrant and illegitimate.There are important theoretical aspects that support the discussion of mixed-race relationships. The theories that will help to explore mixed-race relationships and understand the new structure of the Chinese-American family are concepts such as Werner Sollors?s concept of consent and descent. Another theoretical aspect is the fact that race is a social construction and that it has a formation process. The argument provided by Michael Omi and Howard Winant reveal that biological definitions of race are out of date and are not sufficient to explain the understanding of what race is in American society. In terms of whiteness theories, whiteness is not a racial category, rather, whiteness is defined as a concept which is superior to the other categories of race. With the discussion of mixed-race relationships, identity conflicts and adoption as a new family form in the contemporary Chinese-American novel, this study aims to argue that consent does not hold mixed-race families together; rather it is descent which supports the stability of a relationship.