In paragraph 15, what does Jing-mei discover about herself? How does this help develop the theme of the selection?

Jing-mei discovered that she and her mother are so different and that she will not let her mother's expectations be what she becomes. Rather, she will be her own self and do the things she wanted to do.

This scene helped develop the theme of discovering and accepting one's true identity and accepting things even though they may not be what others expect and want to see.

Explanation:

Amy Tan's short story "Two Kinds," tells the story of Jing-mei and her mothers’ high hopes for her. But despite all the expectations, Jing-mei also struggled with accepting her own identity as a Chinese girl living in America.

Paragraph 15 of the story reveals the scene where Jing-mei 'discovered' her true self, looking in the mirror. She declares "I had new thoughts, willful thoughts - or rather, thoughts filled with lots of won'ts. I won't let her change me, I promised myself. I won't be what I'm not." This scene is the transition from her rejecting her mother's expectations of her and her decision to be true to herself and do what she wants. She also discovered that she truly hated what her mother wants for her and that they are two poles apart.

This scene helped develop the theme of discovering one's identity amidst what her family expects from her and the need to 'adhere' to certain expected rules.