The Year of the Dragon (play)

The Year of the Dragon is a 1974 play written by American playwright Frank Chin. It is considered one of the seminal works of Asian American theatre, and explores themes of identity, assimilation, family conflict, and the clash between traditional Chinese culture and contemporary American society.

The play centers on the protagonist, Fred Eng, a first-generation Chinese American who runs his family's struggling restaurant in San Francisco's Chinatown. As the Chinese New Year approaches, Fred wrestles with his cultural heritage, his strained relationship with his parents, and his own ambition to break free from the constraints of tradition. The arrival of a Caucasian woman, a potential love interest, further complicates his internal struggles and exposes the tensions within his family.

The Year of the Dragon is known for its unflinching portrayal of the complexities of the Chinese American experience, addressing issues of racism, stereotypes, and the pressure to conform. Chin’s work challenges simplistic narratives of assimilation and celebrates the vitality and complexity of Chinese American identity. The play has been widely produced and studied, and remains a significant contribution to American dramatic literature.