The title “Two Kinds” refers to two kinds of daughters.
The story “Two Kinds” reflects on the relation of a mother and her daughter who had been brought up in different cultures. Suyuan, Jing-mei's mother wanted her to become child prodigy of America. Suyuan tests her daughter in different activities restlessly. When Suyuan watched a Chinese girl of nine years playing piano on the TV, she teaches Jing-mei at least to try. She gives Jing-mei piano lessons too. Jing-mei too tries hard but fails.