The Joy Luck Club
David
Semester 2 P. 3
9/29/12
The Joy Luck Club Each generation is different from each other. While the younger generation has their opinions on things, the older generations have different opinions on it. This is the result of the society they are raised in and the changes in the society as the generations evolve. This is exhibited in Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club. In the book it displayed how the mothers, who were raised in China, had contrasting opinions on love, family, and life than their daughters, who were raised in America. The mothers and daughters have different ideas about love. Lindo Jong did not receive love from her mother when she was young. Lindo’s husband was chosen when she was just two years old and the family treated her not as their daughter. “Because I was promised to the Huangs’ son for marriage, my family began treating me as if I belonged to somebody else” (Tan 51) When Lindo was to live with her future husband she tried to win the heart of her mother-in-law. In contrast, Lindo’s daughter, Waverly Jong didn’t want all the love and affection from her mother. Waverly became the national chess champion by her ninth birthday. Her mother would take her around town and show her off, embarrassing Waverly. “I wish you wouldn’t do that, telling everyone I’m your daughter” (Tan 99) Waverly then asked, “Why do you have to use me to show off? If you want to show off, then why don’t you learn how to play chess?” (Tan 99) What Waverly didn’t know was that this was how her mother was showing her love and affection. Ideas about family can be different in generations. Waverly brings home her boyfriend, Rich and plans on telling her mother that they are going to get married. She is worried about what her mother will think about Rich since he is not Chinese and doesn’t understand the Chinese customs. When having dinner all together “ He had declined the sautéed new greens, the tender and expensive leaves of bean plants plucked before the sprouts
Semester 2 P. 3
9/29/12
The Joy Luck Club Each generation is different from each other. While the younger generation has their opinions on things, the older generations have different opinions on it. This is the result of the society they are raised in and the changes in the society as the generations evolve. This is exhibited in Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club. In the book it displayed how the mothers, who were raised in China, had contrasting opinions on love, family, and life than their daughters, who were raised in America. The mothers and daughters have different ideas about love. Lindo Jong did not receive love from her mother when she was young. Lindo’s husband was chosen when she was just two years old and the family treated her not as their daughter. “Because I was promised to the Huangs’ son for marriage, my family began treating me as if I belonged to somebody else” (Tan 51) When Lindo was to live with her future husband she tried to win the heart of her mother-in-law. In contrast, Lindo’s daughter, Waverly Jong didn’t want all the love and affection from her mother. Waverly became the national chess champion by her ninth birthday. Her mother would take her around town and show her off, embarrassing Waverly. “I wish you wouldn’t do that, telling everyone I’m your daughter” (Tan 99) Waverly then asked, “Why do you have to use me to show off? If you want to show off, then why don’t you learn how to play chess?” (Tan 99) What Waverly didn’t know was that this was how her mother was showing her love and affection. Ideas about family can be different in generations. Waverly brings home her boyfriend, Rich and plans on telling her mother that they are going to get married. She is worried about what her mother will think about Rich since he is not Chinese and doesn’t understand the Chinese customs. When having dinner all together “ He had declined the sautéed new greens, the tender and expensive leaves of bean plants plucked before the sprouts
Cited: Tan, Amy. The Joy Luck Club. New York: Putnam 's, 1989. Print.