“Two Kinds” was published in 1989 as part of Amy Tan’s book The Joy Luck Club.

The story is narrated by a Chinese-American woman, named Jing-mei, who is looking back on her upbringing in the United States. A closer look at the story reveals that ‘Two Kinds’ is about the relationship between parents and their children, and what motivates a ‘pushy parent’ to encourage their child into working hard to achieve something.

American poet, memoirist, and actress Maya Angelou wrote several volumes of autobiography that explore the themes of economic, racial, and sexual oppression. She is perhaps best known for her autobiographical work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" (1969). The book garnered critical acclaim and a National Book Award nomination. It is the first of Angelou’s six autobiographies and is widely taught in schools. But because of its themes, it has faced controversy.

Langston Hughes was a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that celebrated African American cultural expressions. His work spanned various genres, including poetry, plays, novels, and newspaper columns, focusing on the African American experience. The episode includes a reading of his short story, “Thank You, Ma'am.”

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