Learning From Shame: R.F. Kuang on Diaspora, Language and Writing Young Protagonists

R.F. Kuang is a contemporary author known for her ability to write novels set in diverse contexts while maintaining a consistent focus on diaspora (communities formed by people who have migrated from their original homeland) and language. Since 2018, she has published seven books, each exploring different themes and settings. Her latest novel, Taipei Story, follows Lily, a college freshman who travels to Taiwan to learn Mandarin during a summer abroad. The novel examines her struggles with cultural assimilation, self-perception, and grief following her grandfather's death. Kuang describes her work as a reflection of her own evolving perspective, noting that she turned 30 in 2026 and chose to write about a protagonist younger than herself for the first time. This shift allowed her to explore themes of youthful naivety and the learning process, particularly in language acquisition.

Kuang emphasizes that language is not innate but learned through practice and mistakes. She argues that fluency requires embracing embarrassment and humiliation, as seen in language classrooms where students repeatedly make errors in front of peers and teachers. This idea is inspired by writer David Sedaris' essay on learning French, where he describes shame as a productive force in language acquisition. Kuang contrasts language learning with academic subjects like philosophy, noting that the former's ultimate test is casual conversation, such as ordering food in a restaurant, while the latter relies on formal exams. In Taipei Story, Lily's journey highlights the challenges of bilingualism, particularly for heritage speakers (people of immigrant descent who grow up hearing a language but may not speak it fluently). Kuang critiques the assumption that language ability correlates with cultural identity, pointing out that fluency does not guarantee authenticity or connection.

Kuang explores how shame and bilingualism intersect, particularly for diaspora communities. She references scholar Doris Sommer's Bilingual Aesthetics and Rey Chow's critique of the myth of consanguinity (the false belief that cultural or racial identity is inherited biologically). Kuang notes that many people avoid speaking their heritage language due to fear of judgment, as fluency is often tied to claims of cultural superiority. For example, in a group of Chinese Americans, someone fluent in Mandarin might assert dominance over others who struggle with the language. Kuang also examines how language classrooms become spaces of daily humiliation, which, while painful, are necessary for progress. This theme is central to Taipei Story, where Lily grapples with her own inadequacies and the societal pressures that come with being a heritage speaker.

The novel addresses the complex relationship between language and grief, particularly through Lily's grandfather's death. Kuang draws parallels to Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time, where the narrator mourns his grandmother, but Lily's experience is different. She feels a deep loss for her grandfather but realizes that others around her do not share her grief. Lily also regrets not asking her grandfather about his past, particularly his experiences in Cambodia. She believes that learning Mandarin would have bridged this gap, but she arrives too late. Kuang highlights the generational divide in diaspora communities, where older generations may withhold traumatic histories to protect younger members. Lily's mother dismisses her questions, implying that the past is irrelevant to her present life, leaving Lily to grapple with unresolved grief and a sense of exclusion.

Kuang critiques the idea of heritage tourism (traveling to one's ancestral homeland to reconnect with culture) through Lily's experiences in Taipei. Lily initially approaches her trip with a checklist of tourist attractions, such as the Jadeite Cabbage and Taipei 101, but gradually encounters more nuanced and unexpected experiences. Kuang references Agnes Callard's New Yorker essay, which argues that travelers often arrive with expectations shaped by media and postcards, rather than authentic discovery. This theme is further explored through Lily's interactions with her classmates, who rely on her and Anna (another heritage speaker) to guide them culturally, despite their lack of firsthand experience in Taiwan. Kuang also touches on the ethical implications of tourism, drawing a parallel to Jamaica Kincaid's essay A Small Place, which critiques the behavior of British tourists in Antigua.

Kuang examines the role of gossip in shaping identity, particularly among young adults. In Taipei Story, Lily becomes the subject of gossip within her language program, which she internalizes as a form of social ostracization. However, Kuang clarifies that the gossip is not malicious but stems from miscommunication and immaturity. Lily's overreaction highlights how adolescents often assign disproportionate significance to social interactions. Kuang contrasts this with her character JC, who initially seems like a potential love interest but becomes entangled in the gossip. Kuang emphasizes that the gossip does not reflect reality but rather Lily's own insecurities. The novel suggests that self-perception, rather than external judgment, often dictates one's experience of social dynamics.