Introduction Development of Chinese American Literature Prominent Positions of Kingston and Tan in Chinese American Literature Definitions of Chinese American Literature Literature Review and the Writing Purpose Chapter One Silence-Breaking Layers of Silencing Impetus for Breaking the Silence Ways of Breaking the Silence Chapter Two Identity-Seeking Stages of Identity Formation Identity Dilemma of Chinese Americans Identity-Seeking as Seen in Chinese American Womens Writings Seeking an Ethnic Identity Seeking a Gender Identity Chapter Three Storytelling Strategy of Ambiguity Multi-Versions of Stories Rewriting Chinese Myths and Literary Classics Rewriting Western Classics and Myths Conclusion Bibliography