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What does the wind symbolize in this quote from "Rules of the Game": "I felt the wind rushing around my hot ears."

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The wind in the quote symbolizes the powerful and uncontrollable forces in Waverly's life, akin to her mother's influence. It represents the cultural expectations and authority she is expected to respect. However, Waverly's American upbringing emphasizes individuality and self-promotion, creating a tension between these cultural forces. This struggle illustrates her internal conflict between respecting traditional values and pursuing personal happiness.

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Like her mother, the wind is a force that Waverly feels powerless to control.

Waverly has heard about wind all her life. Early in the story, Mrs. Jong says, "Wise guy, he not go against wind...Strongest wind cannot be seen.”

Chinese life tells Waverly that she is to respect the "unseen" wind...the authority of her parents, the strictures of her culture. However, all of Waverly's "American-ness" tells her that the pursuit of happiness is one's own construction. It is the pull between self-effacement and self-promotion. Waverly is caught in the cross-gales.

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