Home > The Joy Luck Club Summary & Study Guide > Summary and Analysis > Queen Mother of the Western Skies, Vignette Summary and Analysis

The Joy Luck Club | Queen Mother of the Western Skies, Vignette Summary and Analysis

Summary
A grandmother plays with her infant granddaughter on her lap. She says she doesn’t know which is better, innocence or safety. She was once innocent and laughed “for no reason” but gave up that foolishness to protect herself. She taught her daughter to do the same. Now she wonders if she did the right thing.

The baby laughs. The grandmother pretends the baby is Syi Wang Mu, the Queen Mother of the Western Skies, who has already lived many lifetimes and knows the answer. She listens, and thanks the baby for her advice. She says the baby must teach its...


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