Themes: The Mother-Daughter Relationship
The mother-daughter relationship stands at the heart of The Joy Luck Club, which features four pairs of mothers and daughters who love each other fiercely and misunderstand each other constantly. The mother-daughter relationships in this story are complex, frustrating, and beautiful as these eight women strive to express their love, discover each other, and come to terms with their differences.
The love between the mothers and their daughters is clear to readers even if it is not always clear to the characters. Suyuan, for example, loves her twin girls and Jing-mei so much that it hurts her at times. Leaving her babies by the side of the road was the most difficult thing she ever had to do, but it was the only chance they had to survive. Suyuan never stops looking for those girls. She never gives up hope. She never stops loving them. And she loves Jing-mei just as much, even though Jing-mei cannot always see it. Suyuan’s desire for her daughter to be a prodigy is an expression of love. She wants something wonderful for the girl. The gift of the jade pendant is another example of deep love. Jing-mei dislikes the pressure her mother puts on her, and she lashes out at times, but her love remains. She realizes it fully after her mother is dead and as she sees her mother’s reflection in her sisters.
An-mei grows up without her own mother for several years, and then she suffers alongside her mother when she finds out the truth about what it means to be Wu Tsing’s Fourth Wife. She watches her mother die by suicide. An-mei expresses her love for her daughter, Rose, through warnings and advice. She tells Rose that Ted is doing “monkey business” with someone else, and she turns out to be right. She pushes Rose to speak up for herself. Rose, for her part, looks back to a time when she believed everything her mother said, and now, when An-mei turns out to be correct about the “monkey business,” Rose finally follows her advice and stands up to Ted, realizing that An-mei is correct in saying that she is “without wood.”
Ying-ying’s depression has harmed her relationship with her daughter, Lena, for Lena has long felt invisible to her mother. She has longed to pull Ying-ying back to life and back to her. Yet Lena does not understand the depths of her mother’s pain or where it comes from, at least not until her mother relates the story of her first marriage and its results. In her love and concern for her daughter, Ying-ying recaptures some of her “tiger lady” so that Lena can find her inner tiger as well.
Lindo says right out that she is proud of her daughter, but it hurts that Waverly is not proud of her in return. Waverly tends to treat her mother as though she were a child or a backward old lady, yet Lindo is a wise woman with much more experience than her daughter. She knows Waverly’s intentions about Rich, and she is saddened by her daughter’s many broken promises. Lindo also fears that her granddaughter will one day forget her. Lindo has tried to give her daughter the right blend of Chinese and American, but she knows she has failed. Yet she still loves her daughter deeply, and as she and Waverly look into the mirror and discuss their noses, Waverly’s love becomes apparent as well. She truly desires her mother’s approval, and she realizes that sometimes her mother’s perspective is actually correct.
Expert Q&A
What is the theme of "The Moon Lady" chapter in The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan?
The theme of "The Moon Lady" chapter in The Joy Luck Club centers on finding one's place in the world. Ying-ying St. Clair's journey reflects themes of change, balance, and the importance of communication. She struggles with a lost sense of identity and fears passing this onto her daughter, Lena. Ying-ying's wish to be found symbolizes her desire for self-discovery and connection with her daughter.
How does the piano in The Joy Luck Club illustrate Jing-mei and Suyuan Woo's different worldviews?
The piano in "The Joy Luck Club" symbolizes the contrasting worldviews of Jing-mei and her mother, Suyuan Woo. For Suyuan, it represents the potential to achieve the American dream through hard work, envisioning Jing-mei as a prodigy. However, Jing-mei views the piano as a symbol of her mother's unrealistic expectations and her own rebellion. While Suyuan sees opportunity, Jing-mei perceives pressure and ultimately rejects this vision, leading to tension and disappointment.
Why did Suyuan keep her twin daughters a secret in The Joy Luck Club?
Suyuan kept her twin daughters a secret due to the dire circumstances she faced during the war. Unable to care for them while fleeing, she left them in China, hoping for their survival. Her fear for their safety and her new life in America with her husband Canning, who knew of the twins, contributed to her secrecy. Despite her efforts to find them later, they were only discovered after her death, highlighting her deep protective instincts.
How does Jing-Mei's attitude towards her mother change in The Joy Luck Club's final chapter?
Jing-Mei's attitude towards her mother shifts to one of respect and appreciation in the final chapter. Learning the true story of her mother's sacrifices, including leaving her twin daughters to ensure their survival, helps Jing-Mei understand the depth of her mother's love. As she prepares to meet her half-sisters, she embraces her dual identity as both Chinese and American, acknowledging her mother's wisdom about her heritage as an integral part of her identity.
In The Joy Luck Club, how did Waverly learn "invisible strength" from her mother?
Waverly learns "invisible strength" from her mother through subtle lessons in resilience and self-control. Her mother teaches her to win arguments and earn respect by not giving in to immediate desires, as seen when she only gives Waverly a treat when she is quiet. In chess, Waverly is taught to push herself and not show pride. These lessons culminate in Waverly standing up to her mother, showcasing her newfound strength and sparking a pivotal change in their relationship.
In The Joy Luck Club, what clues show Jing-mei is wrong to fear she doesn't know her mother well enough to tell her story?
Jing-Mei initially fears she doesn't know her mother well enough to tell her story, but several clues in The Joy Luck Club suggest otherwise. Despite disagreements, Jing-Mei absorbed much about her mother through shared stories, experiences, and their strong emotional bond. Her connection to her mother is further reinforced by the jade necklace and her journey to China, where she meets her half-sisters. These experiences reveal that Jing-Mei understands her mother more deeply than she realizes.
How do Ying-ying and Lena reconcile in Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club?
In The Joy Luck Club, Ying-ying and Lena's reconciliation is subtle and involves Ying-ying's realization of her influence on Lena's passivity. Ying-ying plans to reclaim her lost "chi" (spirit) to empower Lena, symbolizing her love and intention to help Lena find strength in her life and marriage. This act signifies a deeper connection and reconciliation, although Lena may not fully understand it. Their relationship reflects the novel's theme of mother-daughter connections shaping identity.
Why does Waverly tell her mother, "I wish you wouldn't do that, telling everybody I'm your daughter"?
Waverly tells her mother she wishes she wouldn't boast about her because Waverly feels her mother is trying to live through her achievements. Her mother, while publicly humble, takes pride in Waverly's success, which embarrasses Waverly. This causes tension between them, as Waverly wants her chess accomplishments to be her own, not overshadowed by her mother's pride. The incident leaves Waverly uncertain about their relationship's future.
How did Lindo escape her marriage without losing faith in "The Red Candle"?
Lindo escapes her marriage by cleverly exploiting Chinese cultural superstitions. She fabricates a dream where a family elder warns of dire consequences if the marriage continues, citing her own rotted tooth and her husband's mole as signs. This convinces her mother-in-law of the dream's authenticity. Additionally, Lindo suggests her husband marry a pregnant servant girl, thus freeing herself from the marriage without dishonoring her family.
What does Waverly's tournament discussion with her mother reveal about her understanding of her mother's expectations?
Waverly's tournament discussion with her mother reveals her growing understanding of her mother's expectations and values. Waverly initially hesitates to express her desire to participate in chess tournaments, fearing her mother's disapproval. However, her mother's response, "Is shame you fall down nobody push you," suggests that not attempting is more shameful than failing. This interaction highlights her mother's belief in courage and effort, encouraging Waverly to pursue her passion for chess.
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