Final answer:
In 'Two Kinds,' Jing-mei faces an external conflict with her mother, who pushes her to become a prodigy, culminating in a disastrous piano recital that strains their relationship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The external conflict in the story Two Kinds by Amy Tan is the struggle between the protagonist, a young Chinese-American girl named Jing-mei, and her mother, who has high expectations for her. This conflict arises from the mother's belief that in America, you can be anything you want, and she relentlessly pushes Jing-mei to become a prodigy. The conflict manifests through various attempts by Jing-mei's mother to discover her daughter's talents, from quizzes and tests to piano lessons with Mr. Chong, the deaf piano teacher. A pivotal example of this conflict occurs during a piano recital when Jing-mei, unprepared and resentful of her mother's pressure, performs poorly, which leads to an intense confrontation afterward.
This struggle underscores the broader themes of identity, cultural expectations, and the complex relationship between parent and child. The external conflict between Jing-mei and her mother is a central element of the narrative, driving the story's action and ultimately contributing to its resolution as Jing-mei asserts her own identity.