After so many years of not playing Ni kan's mother gave her the piano and in the first time in a long time of playing the same tune Ni Kan realized that there were two parts to that tune and she finally began to understand what her mother was trying to do all those years.
The expectations that Ni Kan's mother held for her are very similar to the expectations that parents have for their children now. In this time however expectation is not only coming from parents it comes from everyone. Based on where we come from, gender, or race the expectations others have for us can be very different. I believe that Ni Kan's mother wanted too much out of her. I feel that although she may have been looking in the best interests for Ni Kan she does not allow Ni Kan to discover her abilities on her own and that is what leads to rebellious acts. Ni Kan is very excited about her future until her mother repeatedly expresses her disappointment and continues forcing new things onto Ni Kan. In the story Ni Kan states "And after seeing, once again, my mother's disappointed face, something inside me began to die" (Tan 2). If her mother would let Ni Kan find her own interests the results may have been a lot better. Ni Kan envisions herself being famous and successful but it is only after failed attempts and the inevitable disappointment that she began to give up on herself. .
The story of Ni Kan the the expectations she had throughout her life has reminded me of a story of my own. Growing up I never lived in the best neighborhoods or go to the best schools. Kids like me were looked at as the kids who would never be successful or be great at anything. When I was about twelve years old I started middle school and that is when I began to realize the expectations that others had of me. Unfortunately they were not great expectations. I always enjoyed being involved in school so I joined the marching band and various sports teams.