In the context of cognitive psychology and the story of Jing-mei in 'Two Kinds,' what did perfection mean to Jing-mei while she was waiting to become a prodigy?

• A. Achieving flawless performance and meeting her mother's high expectations
• B. Ignoring her mother's wishes and pursuing her own interests
• C. Accepting that mistakes are a natural part of learning
• D. Being able to play with her friends without practicing piano

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of the story 'Two Kinds' by Amy Tan, focusing on Jing-mei's relationship with her mother and the pressure to become a prodigy.
2. Step 2: Identify what perfection meant to Jing-mei during the time she was waiting to become a prodigy, considering her mother's high expectations and the cultural emphasis on success.
3. Step 3: Recognize that perfection, in this context, is linked to achieving flawless performance, especially in piano playing, as a way to meet her mother's standards.
4. Step 4: Contrast this with other possible interpretations, such as ignoring her mother's wishes or accepting mistakes, to clarify that Jing-mei's idea of perfection was about meeting external expectations rather than personal acceptance or leisure.
5. Step 5: Conclude that perfection for Jing-mei meant striving for flawless performance and fulfilling her mother's high expectations, which is central to understanding her internal conflict in the story.