“Asian American Literary Theory” by Anita Mannur first appeared in The Encyclopedia of Literary and Cultural Theory in 2010. This comprehensive entry examines the evolution of Asian American literary theory, highlighting its foundational aim of challenging dominant racial paradigms in the U.S., particularly the black/white binary. The theory intertwines concerns over identity construction with cultural and aesthetic expressions, tracing its roots to Frank Chin’s 1960s “Yellow Power” nationalism. Chin’s critique of racialized stereotypes, like those embodied in Charlie Chan and Fu Manchu, and his examination of emasculating portrayals of Asian American men laid critical groundwork for the field. Subsequent theorists, such as Lisa Lowe and Sau-Ling Wong, broadened the scope, integrating gender, diaspora, and postcolonial perspectives to deepen understandings of Asian American cultural formations. Mannur emphasizes how Lowe’s Immigrant Acts (1996) redefined Asian American theory by linking concepts of citizenship, imperialism, and historical necessity, offering “nuance to conceptualizing Asian American difference” through heterogeneity, hybridity, and multiplicity. Mannur’s discussion encapsulates the theoretical shift from cultural nationalism to a diasporic and intersectional approach that now includes issues of sexuality, queerness, and global capitalism, underscoring Asian American literary theory’s enduring significance in deconstructing power and domination.
Summary of “Asian American Literary Theory” by Anita Manuur
Challenging Dominant Racial Paradigms Asian American literary theory emerged as a framework addressing aesthetics, literature, and the construction of “Asian American” identity while critiquing the racial and ethnic politics underlying cultural formation. It challenges the binary opposition of black and white that dominates U.S. racial discourse, offering a nuanced perspective on race (Mannur, 2010).
Frank Chin and Cultural Nationalism Frank Chin, a foundational figure, used his work, including the anthology Aiiieeeee!, to critique racial stereotypes like Charlie Chan and Fu Manchu. His focus on the materiality of race and representation of emasculated Asian American men set the stage for critical analysis, though his emphasis on cultural nationalism often sidelined feminist concerns (Mannur, 2010).
Gender and Feminist Interventions Second-generation theorists, including Amy Ling, Elaine Kim, King-Kok Cheung, and Sau-Ling Wong, expanded the field by integrating gender into Asian American narratives. Their work highlighted neglected authors and underscored the intersectionality of nationalism and feminism, paving the way for feminist critiques in Asian American literature (Mannur, 2010).
Diasporic and Postcolonial Shifts The 1990s saw a paradigm shift toward diasporic and postcolonial studies. Sau-Ling Wong’s Denationalization Reconsidered (1995) redefined Asian American studies as distinct from Asian studies, and Lisa Lowe’s Immigrant Acts (1996) critiqued myths of U.S. citizenship, emphasizing heterogeneity, hybridity, and imperialism’s role in shaping Asian American identities (Mannur, 2010).
Intersectionality and New Frameworks By the early 2000s, the field embraced broader frameworks, incorporating sexuality, gender, and class. Psychoanalytic works like Anne Cheng’s Melancholy of Race (2002) and David Eng’s Racial Castration (2001) analyzed racial and gendered performances, while Gayatri Gopinath and Susan Koshy explored queer diasporas and intersections of race and sexuality (Mannur, 2010).
Comparative and Pan-Ethnic Studies Asian American studies often intersect with comparative ethnic/racial perspectives. Scholars like Crystal Parikh and Bill Mullen explored Afro-Orientalism and black-Asian connections, while Allan Isaac and others examined imperialism’s effects on Filipino, Puerto Rican, and Hawaiian literatures, expanding the field’s transnational scope (Mannur, 2010).
Epistemological Shifts and Subjectless Discourse Kandice Chuh’s Imagine Otherwise (2003) introduced “subjectless discourse,” shifting focus from identity politics to critiques of power and domination. This renewed attention to literary aesthetics, form, and poetics redefined the theoretical approach to Asian American literature (Mannur, 2010).
Broadening Horizons In recent years, Asian American literary theory has extended its reach to include global economic structures, environmental studies, and food studies, signaling its adaptability and relevance in addressing evolving cultural and political dynamics (Mannur, 2010).
This synthesis highlights the key themes and evolution of Asian American literary theory, illustrating its transformative impact on both literary studies and cultural critique.
Theoretical Terms/Concepts in “Asian American Literary Theory” by Anita Manuur
Theoretical Term/Concept
Explanation
Source/Contributor
Asian American Identity
Explores the construction of “Asian American” as a cultural, racial, and political identity.
General theme of the field
Cultural Nationalism
Advocates for the materiality of race as defining Asian American literature, emphasizing cultural solidarity.
Frank Chin
Yellow Power Movement
Rooted in the 1960s, highlights Asian American cultural and political nationalism.
Frank Chin
Stereotypical Representation
Critique of racialized stereotypes like Charlie Chan and Fu Manchu in popular culture.
Frameworks to understand the diversity of Asian American identities and experiences.
Lisa Lowe (1996)
Diasporic and Postcolonial Studies
Examines immigration, neocolonial expansion, and the flow of capital, labor, and commodities between Asia and the U.S.
General shift in the 1990s
Subjectless Discourse
Proposes focusing on critiques of power rather than identity politics.
Kandice Chuh (2003)
Queer Diasporas
Explores intersections of race, ethnicity, and non-normative sexualities in Asian American literature.
Gayatri Gopinath, David Eng
Comparative Ethnic Studies
Situates Asian American studies alongside other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.
Crystal Parikh, Bill Mullen, Daniel Kim
Psychoanalysis in Racial Formation
Uses psychoanalytic theories to understand racial, gender, and sexual identity formation.
Anne Cheng, David Eng
Food as Cultural Analysis
Investigates food’s role in shaping Asian American identity and diaspora.
Sau-Ling Wong, Anita Mannur (2010)
Afro-Orientalism
Examines connections between African American and Asian American cultural politics.
Bill Mullen (2004)
Environmental and Disability Studies
Expands Asian American studies to include ecological and disability perspectives.
Recent contributors like Wu (2008) and Hayashi (2007)
Contribution of “Asian American Literary Theory” by Anita Manuur to Literary Theory/Theories
Critique of Dominant Racial Paradigms
Mannur highlights how Asian American literary theory problematizes the black/white racial binary that dominates U.S. racial discourse, offering alternative perspectives on race and identity.
“Asian American literary theory systematically problematized the dominant way in which race is understood, especially in the US, by questioning the binary opposition of black and white” (Mannur, 2010).
Cultural Nationalism and Materiality of Race
The emphasis on cultural nationalism, particularly through Frank Chin’s critiques, underscores the importance of race and its material implications in defining Asian American literature.
Frank Chin’s analysis of racialized stereotypes like Charlie Chan and Fu Manchu is foundational in this critique (Mannur, 2010).
Intersectionality in Literary Criticism
Mannur acknowledges the integration of gender, race, and class as essential to analyzing Asian American literature. Contributions from scholars like King-Kok Cheung and Sau-Ling Wong illustrate the importance of intersectionality in theorizing Asian American identity and narratives (Mannur, 2010).
Diasporic and Postcolonial Frameworks
The shift in the 1990s toward diasporic and postcolonial studies redefined Asian American literary theory. This approach incorporates immigration, neocolonialism, and transnational movements, expanding the scope of analysis (Mannur, 2010).
Lisa Lowe’s Immigrant Acts (1996) introduced heterogeneity and hybridity as key analytical tools, bridging Asian American studies and postcolonial theory.
Subjectless Discourse in Epistemology
Kandice Chuh’s Imagine Otherwise (2003) proposes moving beyond identity politics to focus on power structures, signaling a paradigm shift in literary theory.
This concept challenges traditional subject-object dynamics, influencing broader epistemological debates in literary studies (Mannur, 2010).
Psychoanalysis and Racial Formation
Anne Cheng’s Melancholy of Race (2002) and David Eng’s Racial Castration (2001) introduce psychoanalysis as a means to explore racial, gendered, and sexual identities, enriching discussions in affect theory and literary studies (Mannur, 2010).
Queer Theory and Diaspora
The inclusion of queer diasporas by scholars like Gayatri Gopinath connects sexuality and diaspora to the broader framework of Asian American studies.
This contribution expands literary theory by examining how queerness shapes racial and ethnic identities (Mannur, 2010).
Comparative Ethnic Studies
Mannur notes the importance of comparative frameworks in situating Asian American studies alongside other racial and ethnic groups, deepening the analysis of intergroup dynamics and shared histories.
Examples include Bill Mullen’s Afro-Orientalism and Crystal Parikh’s analysis of Asian American and Chicano/a literature (Mannur, 2010).
Expanding Literary Theory through New Areas of Inquiry
The field incorporates emerging areas like environmental studies, food studies, and disability studies, showcasing its adaptability to contemporary issues.
Scholars like Hayashi (2007) and Mannur herself (2010) extend Asian American literary theory’s relevance to broader cultural studies.
Examples of Critiques Through “Asian American Literary Theory” by Anita Manuur
Literary Work
Critique through Asian American Literary Theory
Key Contributor/Reference
Aiiieeeee! Anthology (edited by Frank Chin)
Highlights the materiality of race in Asian American literature, critiquing racialized stereotypes like Charlie Chan and Fu Manchu. Establishes the groundwork for cultural nationalism.
Frank Chin (Mannur, 2010)
The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston
Criticized for its portrayal of Asian American men as emasculated, reinforcing stereotypes that undermine cultural nationalism.
Frank Chin’s critique (Mannur, 2010)
Immigrant Acts by Lisa Lowe
Analyzes the myths of American citizenship and its contradictions, focusing on the intersections of imperialism, heterogeneity, and hybridity in shaping Asian American identities.
Lisa Lowe (Mannur, 2010)
Racial Castration by David L. Eng
Explores Asian American masculinities and queerness through psychoanalysis, examining racial formation and sexuality as central to understanding Asian American literature.
David L. Eng (Mannur, 2010)
Criticism Against “Asian American Literary Theory” by Anita Manuur
Emphasis on Cultural Nationalism
Critics argue that the focus on cultural nationalism, as highlighted through Frank Chin’s work, often marginalizes feminist perspectives and excludes diverse gender and sexual identities (Mannur, 2010).
Limited Scope of Early Frameworks
The initial focus on race and identity as primary concerns is seen as limiting, failing to account for broader issues like intersectionality, queerness, and class until later theoretical developments (Mannur, 2010).
Marginalization of Feminist Contributions
Early theorists, including Chin, prioritized cultural nationalism over gender equity, leading to critiques that feminist concerns were sidelined in the foundational years of Asian American literary theory (Mannur, 2010).
Tension Between Asian and American Identities
The dual focus on “Asian” and “American” creates tensions and contradictions that some critics argue are not fully reconciled, as seen in David Palumbo-Liu’s exploration of the Asian/American divide (Mannur, 2010).
Overemphasis on Diasporic Connections
The shift toward diasporic and postcolonial studies has been critiqued for potentially overshadowing local Asian American experiences and struggles, disconnecting the theory from its U.S.-based roots (Mannur, 2010).
Neglect of Emerging Ethnic Groups
The field’s early emphasis on East Asian identities has drawn criticism for insufficient attention to South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Filipino American literatures until later expansions (Mannur, 2010).
Complexity of Theoretical Jargon
The increasing theoretical complexity, especially with frameworks like subjectless discourse and psychoanalytic approaches, risks alienating broader audiences and practitioners outside academia (Mannur, 2010).
Representative Quotations from “Asian American Literary Theory” by Anita Manuur with Explanation
“The term ‘Asian American literary theory’ describes collective concerns about, on the one hand, aesthetics, literature, and the construction of ‘Asian American’ identity, and on the other, the racial and ethnic politics of Asian American cultural formation.”
Defines the dual focus of Asian American literary theory on cultural identity and the sociopolitical context shaping that identity.
“Since its inception, it has systematically problematized the dominant way in which race is understood, especially in the US, by questioning the binary opposition of black and white.”
Highlights the field’s critique of the limited racial discourse in the U.S. that marginalizes non-Black minority experiences.
“The playwright Frank Chin…argued that it was the materiality of race that defined Asian American literature and showed how anti-Asian racism was embodied in stereotyped characters in popular culture.”
Recognizes Frank Chin’s role in challenging stereotypes and asserting the significance of race in Asian American literary identity.
“His ‘cultural nationalism’ often emerged at the expense of feminist concerns and his stance on gender and race has been very controversial.”
Points to critiques of Frank Chin’s emphasis on cultural nationalism, which often neglected or opposed feminist perspectives.
“Following from, and developing in response to Chin’s critique, the next generation of Asian American literary theorists – including Amy Ling, Elaine Kim, King-Kok Cheung, and Sau-Ling Wong – laid further groundwork.”
Acknowledges the contributions of second-generation theorists who expanded the field to include gender and intersectionality.
“Lisa Lowe’s landmark Immigrant Acts ushered in a new phase in Asian American literary theory…embracing a theoretical foundation that interrogated citizenship, heterogeneity, and imperialism.”
Emphasizes Lisa Lowe’s contribution to integrating postcolonial and diasporic studies into Asian American literary theory.
“Sau-Ling Wong’s ‘Denationalization Reconsidered’ prompted an important inquiry into where Asia fits into conceptualizations of Asian America.”
Reflects Wong’s effort to differentiate Asian American studies from Asian studies and focus on diasporic and transnational connections.
“Queer theory revisits the archive of Asian American literature to attend to the complexities of sexuality.”
Highlights the incorporation of queer theory, emphasizing the intersection of race, ethnicity, and sexuality in Asian American literature.
“Kandice Chuh’s Imagine Otherwise proposes replacing identity politics with what she calls Asian Americanist critique, shifting attention from subjects to critiques of power and domination.”
Discusses Chuh’s significant theoretical shift towards a “subjectless discourse,” focusing on structures of power rather than individual identity.
“The field has moved beyond negotiating inclusions/exclusions, recognizing that to transform the varied logics of inequities requires systematic engagement with forms of power and domination.”
Marks the evolution of Asian American literary theory into broader frameworks that address power structures globally and intersectionally.
Suggested Readings: “Asian American Literary Theory” by Anita Manuur
Lee, Christopher. “ASIAN AMERICAN LITERATURE AND THE RESISTANCES OF THEORY.” Modern Fiction Studies, vol. 56, no. 1, 2010, pp. 19–39. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/26287168. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025.
Libretti, Tim. “Asian American Cultural Resistance.” Race, Gender & Class, vol. 4, no. 3, 1997, pp. 20–39. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41674835. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025.
HO, JENNIFER ANN. “Transgressive Texts and Ambiguous Authors: Racial Ambiguity in Asian American Literature.” Racial Ambiguity in Asian American Culture, Rutgers University Press, 2015, pp. 123–47. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1729vqq.9. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025.
