“Usual American” by Gish Jen

Typical American opens with the line, “It's an American story,” and advances to explain the knowledge of siblings Ralph and Theresa Chang, and Theresa's ally Helen, who finally becomes Ralph's wife. Ralph opts not to become an American civilian and is consequently compelled to leave the university. Downtrodden and left with only $3.16 to his name, Ralph is aided by his sister and manages to regain order in his life. He falls in love with Helen, comes back to school, earns a Ph.D., and is chartered as a professor. Ralph and Helen wed, and the three immigrants ...