Examples of Assemblage within American Born Chinese
Assemblage "Builds arguments by pulling (often disparate) materials into one coherent narrative or text; Reveals reoccurring or perhaps undetected themes". American Born Chinese uses multiple examples of assemblage throughout its narrative. It's use of assemblage can be seen in characters and plot remixed from Journey to the West to themes from Transformers.
Characters
Many of the characters assembled in this remix come from the Ming Dynasty story Journey to the West. The Monkey King in particular, is featured heavily in both of these stories. Representations of other various deities are also seen throughout the novel American Born Chinese, and their inclusion to characters within Jin's story represent another form of assemblage apart from plot and themes.
Plot
Another part of American Born Chinese's assemblage comes from the plot within Journey to the West. Both novels describe similar plot points involving the Monkey King. American Born Chinese also directly mentions Journey to the West and applies its reoccurring themes to Jin's life.
Themes
Assemblage is also seen in the themes throughout American Born Chinese. Specific aspects from both Journey to the West as well as Transformers are assembled alongside Jin's story in a way that connects them all. The theme of transformation is seen through the Monkey King in Journey to the West, as he tried to transform into something he wasn't before learning to be at peace with himself. American Born Chinese ties in Transformers with this assemblage through the transformers action figure that the Monkey King gives to his son on his travels to earth in human form. This theme of transformation is a major part in all three works.