The Lone Night Cantina, And Adrian Tomine s Graphic Novel...

Since the mid to late twentieth century, Asian American literature has become a thriving outlet for writers of Asian descent. This literary group was slow to form and remains difficult to define because it is comprised of numerous ethnic groups that often share few, if any, ties to one another. However, this formation was and continues to be critical in combating stereotypes and prejudice against Asian Americans. Influenced by concepts of Orientalism, Western culture portrays Asia as source, a competitor, and the opposite in regards to progress. Consequently, many in the United States consider Asian Americans backwards and perpetual foreigners, despite being born in the same country. Accordingly, common themes in Asian American literature address identity in regards to race, culture, gender, and sexuality. Don Lee’s short story, The Lone Night Cantina, and Adrian Tomine s graphic novel, Shortcomings, explore these ideas through their protagonists’ relationship to the majority white culture. The Lone Night Cantina follows Annie Yung, a Korean American Silicon Valley programmer, in the midst of an identity crisis after breaking up with her boyfriend. While visiting her sister in Rosarita Bay, she meets Joe Konki who initially seems to embody the hero of the Wild West who will come rescue her. Shortcomings illustrates bitter Ben Tanaka’s search for happiness and struggle with his identity as a Japanese American. His preference for porn of white women strains his