In “The Story of One White Woman who Married a Chinese,” James Carson constantly reinforces to Minnie, his wife, the “disgrace to be a woman and a mother” in order to uplift his own failed masculinity( Far 70 ). Minnie paying the “living expenses” just s

Unlike James Carson, Liu Kanghi embodies the traditional qualities of masculinity. Liu’s manhood becomes apparent when he symbolically protects Minnie from danger during their first encounter, warning, “If you go any further, lady, you will fall into the water!”(71) Minnie ignores his warnings, so with a “strong arm,” Liu saves her from the potential danger. Minnie senses Liu’s masculinity from the start, declaring that she “knew he was a man”(72). She also recognizes Liu’s caring nature, acknowledging that she “was being cared for as no one had ever cared” for her since the death of her father(72). This statement further defines Liu’s strong male presence because he represents a father-like figure to Minnie. Additionally, Liu is Asian in a time period when racism plagued the minds of many White Americans. Thus, because Minnie not only looks past Liu’s ethnicity and accepts him as a person, but holds Liu in a similar esteem to her father, Minnie’s statement further elevates Liu’s masculinity. Additionally, Liu believes in women’s equality, encouraging Minnie to make a living out of embroidery, something she loves to do, saying that he will pay her “what it is worth”(73). One can argue that “worth” symbolically refers to Minnie’s worth as a person because her embroidery represents her own creation, a symbol of her identity. Therefore, Liu’s statement reveals that he has a great deal of respect for Minnie as a person. This passage is important because it subtly contrasts James’ insecurity, shown through James’ insults toward Minnie, with Liu’s strong sense of masculinity, demonstrated by his great respect for Minnie. Liu also demonstrates the masculine traits of a ‘protector,’ proclaiming to Minnie, “I will love you and would protect you from all trouble. Your child shall be as my own”(75). Because Liu promises to not only to protect Minnie, but her child as well, the reader’s respect for him increases upon realizing that Liu’s protecting nature extends beyond the woman he loves.

Liu embodies masculinity while James does not because Liu is relatively new to American society, and thus lives life according to his intuition rather than society’s rules. First of all, James is fifteen years older than Minnie. Liu, on the other hand, is the cousin of Liu Jusong’s kids which shows Liu’s relative youth, suggesting that he is younger than James. This age gap between James and Liu creates an important difference in their characters. The description of James as a “well-informed man” who had been “through the public schools,” suggests that society influences the way James thinks(67). In other words, he has lived his entire life in American society and acts according to his knowledge of the social customs. Liu, on the other hand, symbolizes an outsider to American culture as illustrated by his Chinese decent and his name, Liu Kanghi, which suggests ‘foreigner.’ Unlike James’ pitiful attempt to win Miss Moran’s love, Liu’s proclamation of love for Minnie remains truthful and from the heart. Liu reveals his innocence when he asks Minnie if she loves him, questioning, “Do you have for me the love feeling”(75). Everything about Liu’s question contains a sense of nativity. Fir

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