Amy's Mom Came To America Case Study

Amy’s mom came to America after losing everything in China. With the belief that you could be anything you wanted in America, Amy’s mom prepared and coached Amy into becoming a Chinese Shirley Temple.
Amy believed that her mother’s dreams for her were realistic. She admitted that she felt that she would soon become perfect. Amy was excited to become famous and be adored by her parents.
She and her mother searched through the American magazines and books for stories about child prodigies.
Her mother tested her for academic skill, such as multiplying large numbers mentally and memorizing pages of the bible. She wanted Amy to become a child genius.
Amy grew angry as she saw the disappointment on her mom’s face as she failed to meet to her expectations.
Amy decided that she would to not become something she was not to please her mother. She was determined not to try.
Her mother saw a young Chinese girl play the piano with great skill while watching The Ed Sullivan Show. The mother was fascinated because the piano player was everything she wanted Amy to be.
Her mother made a deal with Mr. Chong, a retired piano teacher. He agreed to give Amy piano lessons in exchange for his house to be cleaned.
Amy discovered that Old Mr. Chong was deaf, like the composer Beethoven. Her instructor was too old to notice the mistakes she was making.
Amy had to perform in a talent show to display her talent in piano that she did not have.
Her mother invited all her friends from the Joy Luck Club. The Joy Luck Club was a group of Chinese women who meet often to play games and socialize.
Amy did not have any fear while going on stage.
Amy played knowing that she was unprepared because she thought that the prodigy in her existed. Amy realized how bad she was due to the reaction of the audience. Amy’s family continued to watch the show despite being embarrassed.
Only her deaf teacher applauded as she completed the song called “Pleading Child.”
Amy felt that after her poor performance, her mother’s dream for her would end.
Her mother reminded her that it was time to practice a few days later while she was watching television.
Amy told her mother she would never be the genius daughter that her mother wanted her to be.
Her mother said that there are only two kinds of daughters.
There are daughters the ones who follow their own mind and those who are obedient.
Her mother thought she was won the argument by explaining which kind of daughter could live in her house.
Amy, feeling her own power, said that she wished she was dead.
Her mom was upset by Amy’s outburst.
Amy looked back on this argument as an unresolved conflict that had followed her into being an adult. Amy and her mom never talked about that conversation again.
A few years before her death, her mother offered her the piano for her thirtieth birthday.
Amy accepted her piano because she saw this as a peace offering or a shiny trophy that she had won back.