How the Other Half Lives · Chapter
IX: Chinatown explained
This chapter explores the Chinese colony in New York City, focusing on its social structure, moral dangers, and the author's observations of its opium dens, Joss House, and the exploitation of women.
What happens
This chapter explores the Chinese colony in New York City, focusing on its social structure, moral dangers, and the author's observations of its opium dens, Joss House, and the exploitation of women. The author argues that the Chinese community's exclusivity and reserve pose a menace to society, advocating for the inclusion of Chinese women to mitigate the moral decay associated with opium and vice.
Themes in this chapter
Immigration and Ethnicity
The chapter examines the Chinese immigrant community's exclusivity, their internal governance, and the societal tensions they create.
Crime and Moral Degradation
Opium addiction, violent crime, and the exploitation of women are central to the depiction of Chinatown as a source of moral decay.
Exploitation and Greed
The Chinese are shown exploiting women through opium and prostitution, with the Joss House combining worship and business in a practical manner.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The narrator undertakes an expedition to photograph Joss and tours the opium dens with the police captain.
- Joss
Joss is the deity in the Joss House, whose photograph was taken by the narrator, causing a commotion that required two roast pigs as atonement.
- The Chinese
The Chinese community is depicted as exclusive, reserved, and governed by their own code, with a focus on their opium dens and exploitation of women.
- John Chinaman
John Chinaman is referenced in the context of the Chinese laundry and the exploitation of women, including a case of a girl being inveigled into a laundry.
Key passages
“Rather than banish the Chinaman, I would have the door opened wider—for his wife; make it a condition of his coming or staying that he bring his wife with him.”
Instead of deporting Chinese immigrants, the author suggests allowing their wives to join them to reduce the social problems caused by their bachelor lifestyle.
This reflects the author's view on the 'Chinese question' and the need for family integration.
“The severest official scrutiny, the harshest repressive measures are justifiable in Chinatown, orderly as it appears on the surface, even more than in the Bend, and the case is infinitely more urgent.”
The author argues that strict policing is more necessary in Chinatown than in the Italian Bend, despite its outward orderliness, due to the hidden moral dangers.
This highlights the perceived threat of Chinatown compared to other slum areas.
“The priest pointed to it with undisguised pride and attempted an explanation, from which I gathered that the inscription was intended as a diplomatic courtesy, a delicate international compliment to the 'Melican Joss,' the almighty dollar.”
The priest proudly explained that the inscription 'In God we trust' was a diplomatic gesture honoring the American dollar.
This illustrates the blending of Chinese worship with American commercialism.