Acculturation and the Formation of Immigrant Identity in David Henry Hwang’s FOB
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31973/42ncbd24Keywords:
Acculturation, Immigrant Identity, Cultural Duality, Assimilation, David Henry HwangAbstract
David Henry Hwang’s FOB explores the complexities of acculturation and immigrant identity through the experiences of Chinese Americans navigating cultural duality. The play contrasts second-generation immigrants, represented by Dale, who has largely assimilated into American culture, with newly arrived FOBs (Fresh Off the Boat) like Steve, who maintain stronger ties to their Chinese heritage. Hwang examines the tension between assimilation and cultural preservation, highlighting how immigrant identities are often pressured both by mainstream society and within immigrant communities themselves. Drawing parallels to Berry’s acculturation model, the characters use different strategies—Dale leans toward assimilation while Steve reflects separation, illustrating the psychological and social challenges of cultural adaptation. Through symbolism, dialogue, and inter-generational conflict, FOB critiques the marginalization of Chinese immigrants while celebrating the emergence of hybrid identities. Ultimately, Hwang suggests that immigrant identity is fluid, shaped by continuous negotiation between heritage and new cultural contexts. The play presents acculturation as a dynamic process, often contested experience that redefines what it means to be Chinese American.
Downloads
References
Al-Sammarraie, M. N. N. & Ismael, N. A. (2022). Cultural adaptation: A study in selected poems of Victor Hernandez Cruz. Al-Adab Journal, 142 (2), 37-46. https://doi.org/10.31973/aj.v2i142.3797 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31973/aj.v2i142.3797
Berry, J. W. (2009). A critique of critical acculturation. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 33(5), 361–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2009.06.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2009.06.003
Berry, J. W. (1992). Acculturation and adaptation in a new society. International Migration, 30, 69-69. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2435.1992.tb00776.x
Berry, J. W., & Sam, D. L. (1997). Acculturation and adaptation. In J. W. Berry, M. H. Segall, & C. Kagitcibasi (Eds.), Handbook of cross-cultural psychology: Vol. 3. Social behavior and applications (2nd ed., pp. 291-326). Allyn & Bacon.
Boles, W. C. (2013). Understanding David Henry Hwang. University of South Carolina Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/book27310
Chae, M. H. (2001). Acculturation conflicts among Asian Americans: Implications for practice. The New Jersey Journal of Professional Counseling, 56(1), 24–30.
Causadias, J. M., & Korous, K. M. (2019). Racial discrimination in the United States: A national health crisis that demands a national health solution. Journal of Adolescent Health, 64(2), 147–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.11.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.11.001
Hwang. D. H. (2000). Trying to find Chinatown: The selected plays of David Henry Hwang. Theatre Communications Group. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9781636700892.00000094
Harte, B. (2023). The Heathen Chinee. BoD – Books on Demand. (Original work published 1870)
Huang, G. (2006). The Columbia Guide to Asian American Literature Since 1945. Columbia University Press.
Huntley, E. D. (2009). Amy Tan and Asian American literature. In H. Bloom (Ed.) Modern critical views: Asian - American writers (pp. 43–61). Infobase Publishing.
Ithawi, H. N. H. (2018). Arab-American playwrights: Hyphenated identities and cultural in-betweenness. [Doctoral dissertation, University of Texas at Austin]. University of Texas Digital Repository. https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/79aaa03e-95f1-4eb2-8970-71c6711713dc/content
Johnson, M. (2017). Performing American identity: the plays of David Henry Hwang [Doctoral dissertation, University of East Anglia]. University of East Anglia.
Kim, U., & Chun, M. B. (1994). Educational success of Asian Americans: An indigenous perspective. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology 15, 328–342. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0193-3973(94)90035-3
Krasner, D. (2007). A companion to twentieth-century American drama. Blackwell. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/b.9781405110884.2006.00003.x
Lee, E, K. (2011). A history of Asian American theatre. Cambridge University Press.
Lee, E. K. (2015). The theatre of David Henry Hwang. Bloomsbury Publishing. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9781408185667
Lee, J. (1998). Performing Asian America: Race and ethnicity on the contemporary stage. Temple University Press.
Lowe, L. (1996). Immigrant acts: on Asian American cultural politics. Duke University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1215/9780822379010
Lawrence, C. (2020). Is Lennie a monster? A reconsideration of Steinbeck’s of Mice and Men in a 21st century inclusive classroom context. Palgrave Communications, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-020-0393-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-020-0393-8
Moss-Coane, M. & Timpane, J. (1996). David Henry Hwang. In P. C. Kolin and C. H. Kullman (Ed.) Speaking on stage: Interviews with contemporary American playwrights, pp. 277–90. University of Alabama Press.
Oyserman, D. & Sakamoto, I. (1997). Being Asian American: Identity, cultural constructs, and stereotype perception. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 33(4), 435 453. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021886397334002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0021886397334002
Park, K. (1997). The Korean American dream: Immigrants and small business in New York city. Cornell University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7591/9781501724558
Rychyk, Y. (2021). The social construction of the characters’ identities in the trilogy by David Henry Hwang: An intersectional approach. [Master’s thesis, University of Tartu]. https://dspace.ut.ee/server/api/core/bitstreams/ea8a94d6-9484-40d5-8487-761e53f3e889/content.
Sollors, W. (1996). Theories of ethnicity: a classical reader. New York University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-24984-8
Salem, H. (2021). Bicultural identity in David Hwang’s FOB and Yellow Face. European Journal of English Language and Literature Studies, 9(7), 1–10.
Taha, A. A. (2018). Arab-American diaspora and the “Third Space”: A study of selected poems by Sam Hamod. English Language and Literature Studies, 8(2), 29. https://doi.org/10.5539/ells.v8n2p29 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/ells.v8n2p29
Wang, V., & Marsh, F. (1992). Ethical principles and cultural integrity in health care delivery: Asians’ ethnocultural perspectives in genetic services. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 1, 81–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00960087 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00960087
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ahmed Shaker Mahmoud, Asst. Prof. Hind Naji Hussein Ithawi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright and Licensing:
For all articles published in Al-Adab journal, copyright is retained by the authors. Articles are licensed under an open access Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license, meaning that anyone may download and read the paper for free. In addition, the article may be reused and quoted provided that the original published version is cited. These conditions allow for maximum use and exposure of the work.
Reproducing Published Material from other Publishers: It is absolutely essential that authors obtain permission to reproduce any published material (figures, schemes, tables or any extract of a text) which does not fall into the public domain, or for which they do not hold the copyright. Permission should be requested by the authors from the copyrightholder (usually the Publisher, please refer to the imprint of the individual publications to identify the copyrightholder).
Permission is required for: Your own works published by other Publishers and for which you did not retain copyright.
Substantial extracts from anyones' works or a series of works.
Use of Tables, Graphs, Charts, Schemes and Artworks if they are unaltered or slightly modified.
Photographs for which you do not hold copyright.
Permission is not required for: Reconstruction of your own table with data already published elsewhere. Please notice that in this case you must cite the source of the data in the form of either "Data from..." or "Adapted from...".
Reasonably short quotes are considered fair use and therefore do not require permission.
Graphs, Charts, Schemes and Artworks that are completely redrawn by the authors and significantly changed beyond recognition do not require permission.
Obtaining Permission
In order to avoid unnecessary delays in the publication process, you should start obtaining permissions as early as possible. If in any doubt about the copyright, apply for permission. Al-Adab Journal cannot publish material from other publications without permission.
The copyright holder may give you instructions on the form of acknowledgement to be followed; otherwise follow the style: "Reproduced with permission from [author], [book/journal title]; published by [publisher], [year].' at the end of the caption of the Table, Figure or Scheme.
How to Cite
