ENG 3620, American Literature II —“The Yellow Peril”—Demonizing the (Eastern) Other

Spring 2020, michael wutz

ENG 3620, American Literature II —“The Yellow Peril”—Demonizing the (Eastern) OtherThe Geography of Immigration

• Immigrant Populations as Engines of Growth and Prosperity

1870 – 38.5 mio; 1910 – 92 mio.; 1920 – 123 mio

• Urban GrowthNew York 1865, 500,000 1900, ca. 3 mio.Chicago 1850, 29,000 1910, ca. 2 mio.

Israel Zangwill’s play, The Melting-Pot (1909)“America is God’s Crucible, the great Melting-Pot where all races of Europe are melting and reforming!”

ENG 3620, American Literature II —“The Yellow Peril”—Demonizing the (Eastern) OtherThe Geography of Immigration

ENG 3620, American Literature II —“The Yellow Peril”—Demonizing the (Eastern) OtherThe Chinese Exclusion Act, 1882

1882 Chinese Exclusion Act (An act to inaugurate certain treaty stipulations relating to Chinese)Sess. I, Chap. 126; 22 Stat. 58.47th Congress; Approved May 6, 1882.

SUMMARYThe Chinese Exclusion act was imposed to exclude Chinese from migrating to the United States. The government felt that Chinese laborers were a threat to order in certain localities. The law stated that for the next ten years the Chinese laborers were suspended from coming into the United States. If people were caught bringing Chinese into the country they would be fined five hundred dollars per head that was brought in and /or imprisoned but not for more then a year. Vessels landing on American soil could not have Chinese on them and if they did they were not allowed leave any of them behind or let them step off the boat. All Chinese laborers that came in after November 17, 1880 were to be deported. All the Chinese that were in then U.S. before this date were registered and given certificates that had their names, age, occupation, physical markings on their bodies and more.

ENG 3620, American Literature II —“The Yellow Peril”—Demonizing the (Eastern) OtherThe Geography of Immigration

(Re-)Mapping “The New Colossus”

• East Coast — West Coast Immigration• Ward’s Island/Ellis Island — Angel Island

[T]he word liberty makes me think of the fact that this country is the land of liberty for men of all nations except the Chinese. I consider it an insult to us Chinese to call on us to contribute toward building in this land a pedestal for a statue of Liberty. That statue represents Liberty holding a torch which lights the passage of those of all nations who come into this country. But are the Chinese allowed to come? As for the Chinese who are here, are they allowed to enjoy liberty as men of all other nationalities enjoy it? Are they allowed to go about everywhere free from the insults, abuse, assaults, wrongs, and injuries from which men of other nationalities are free?

— Saum Song Bo, “A Chinese View of the Statue of Liberty” (1885)

ENG 3620, American Literature II —“The Yellow Peril”—Demonizing the (Eastern) OtherPulp, Occult, and Vermin

ENG 3620, American Literature II —“The Yellow Peril”—Demonizing the (Eastern) OtherThe Poetry of Angel Island

Originally, I had intended to come to America last year.Lack of money delayed me until early autumn.It was on the day that the Weaver Maiden met the Cowherd*That I took passage on the President Lincoln.I ate wind and tasted waves for more than twenty days.Fortunately, I arrived safely on the American continent.I thought I could land in a few days.How was I to know I would become a prisoner suffering in the wooden building?The barbarians' abuse is really difficult to take.When my family's circumstances stir my emotions, a double stream of tears flows.I only wish I can land in San Francisco soon,Thus sparing me this additional sorrow here.

本擬舊歲來美洲，洋蚨迫阻到初秋。織女會牛郎哥日，乃搭林肯總統舟。餐風嘗浪廿餘日，幸得平安抵美洲。以為數日可上埠，點知苦困木樓囚。番奴苛待真難受，感觸家境淚雙流。但願早登三藩市，免在此間倍添愁。

Poem 7

ENGLISH 3620, American Literature IIFrom the Civil War to the Present, Spring 2020, michael wutz

Thank you.