Summary Of After Cowboy Chicken Came To Town By Ha Jin

The short story “After Cowboy Chicken Came to Town” by Ha Jin, presents a criticism of the concept of capitalism. The struggles faced by the capitalist chain are seen to gradually increase, highlighting the limitations and failings of the Western system in a Chinese context. Juxtaposed against Chinese socialism, the story questions whether capitalism can work outside of the Western sphere due to the clashes in culture and value systems.

In the story, one fault of capitalism is clearly highlighted – that of exploitation. The capitalist economy is shown to take advantage of the lack of education and affluence of lesser-developed nations, the “company exploited not just (the workers) but also thousands of country people” (187), using lower costs

of production and manpower to gain greater profit. As the narrator notes, capitalism “use(s) Chinese produce and labour and made money out of Chinese customers, then ship(s) its profits back to the U.S.” (187) Instead of benefiting the adopted country, the capitalist model only furthers the ambitions of the American economy. Capitalism is seen as “baloney” (187) due to the injustice it creates. This can be seen in the contrast between the amount of work done by Mr Shapiro and his employees, him having “rested so well in the daytime” (188) while his employees complete the majority.
While capitalism claims to bring “help” (187) it fails to do so.

The employees realise they have “no need for a saviour like (their employer)” (187). They are seen to have to put up with an increasing problems, such as being “take(en) advantage of” (185) and “sue(d)” (203). Such challenges arise due the rules that govern the capitalist structure, causing the employees to have to find alternative methods to resolve the issues. Rather than creating equal opportunity for both economies to develop, it creates an environment in which those that partake of it are forced to face both the difficulties of the capitalist work environment as well as the disdain of fellow Chinese. Throughout the text, the employees are often labelled “American dogs” (185), this reference indicating the lack of respect for Westerners, “white devil(s)” (187) and even more so for Chinese that take part in a Western construct. This poses a question as to whether capitalism should be the system China adopts for economic growth. The problem of respect is a deep-rooted one, seen in how the narrator himself calls Mr Shapiro an “old fox” (186), despite having seen the “beauty” of the capitalist system – prompt wages. (197) Despite this benefit, the discontent displayed by the staff suggests how many aspects of capitalism are still at odds with the Chinese way of life. Arguably, Mr Shapiro can be seen as an embodiment of the capitalist model. As such, it suggests the system to have the sly and cunning nature of a fox, even “hypocri(tical)” (186). This is further reinforced by the differing attitudes with which he treats customers and his employees, “good hearted and considerate to customers, but... cruel... to his employees” (186). Mr Shapiro’s attitude suggests profit to be the only aim of capitalism. Rather than creating a beneficial environment, capitalism in socialist China creates a greater rift between the Chinese, the Westerners and those who work for them. In addition, the difference between the

treatment Peter and the other employees receives also reveals how capitalism is non-accepting. Rather than importing knowledge, it relies on those with abilities. Peter, well-versed in English but with an understanding of the Chinese way of life, “ran the place single-handedly” (198). The inability to adapt to suit a different environment, relying instead on talent, again reinforces the idea that capitalism is not an ideal system when exported, able to run successfully only because of the capabilities of one that understands both cultures.
As such, the text points out the flaws of the capitalist model, in that while it seemingly creates opportunity for expansion and growth, it creates a greater divide between those with power and knowledge, allowing them to manipulate the system in their advantage, and exploit for farther profit. While there are certain benefits to be derived, it is not idyllic and largely inapplicable, working only through Peter’s ability to reconcile the cultural differences.