At the end of Interior Chinatown, the main character, Willis Wu, finds himself in an existential crisis. After his actor agent, Arlo, unexpectedly dies, Willis is forced to grapple with the meaning of his own life. To help him figure out his path forward, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and ultimately embraces his Chinese-American identity.
Throughout the duration of the book, Willis has been struggling to land a significant acting role that does justice to both his ethnicity and his talent. By the end, however, he shifts his goal from acting to one of representation. Rather than being recognized as an actor, he now seeks to bring visibility to all of the various types and nuances of Asian-American identity.
This is clearly illustrated in the last chapter, where Willis is given the starring role in a play called Ching Chong Chinaman. Not only does this word often carry negative connotations, but it also implies a certain type of Asian person. Rather than shying away from this role, Willis fully embraces it and works tirelessly to convey the variety of Asian narratives that are unseen in popular culture.
Ultimately, Interior Chinatown ends with Willis no longer settled in mediocrity, but rather, taking his own place within the larger narrative. He sees himself as an integral part of the larger tapestry of Asian-American identity, and uses his newfound self-awareness to bring light to the Asian American experience in all of its beauty and complexity.
With a strong focus on themes of identity, representation, and belonging, Interior Chinatown effectively paints a picture of the Asian-American experience that's both unique and timely. By the end, Willis finds the courage to step outside of his comfort zone and take control of how the world sees him. This powerful story carries a message of hope, resilience, and belonging that’s sure to stay with its readers long after they’ve finished the book.
