Joy Luck Club

A detailed Summary of Joy Luck Club

A mirror proposes a dualistic nature. One may say that mirrors present people and things very truthfully; mirrors depict reality. Still, another will surely argue that mirrors reflect only illusions: "What is left is right, and what is right is left" (Love is a Many-Splendored Thing). Together, these two standpoints are symbolic of the relationship between a mother and her daughter. Just by visually observing the two, one can point out what superficial features they share. By digging past the surface one will discover the divergent values and experiences that dwell inside each of the women. Amy Tan's novel, The Joy Luck Club, demonstrates that regardless of to what extent a mother and her daughter may differ from each other, the daughter is bound to her mother by both the physical and personality traits imparted to her.

The discrepancies between what each generation sustained and values present an obstacle between a mother and her daughter. Suyuan Woo underwent misfortunes as a wife and mother in China during the Japanese advancement of troops through the country. In addition to sustaining the deprivatio

ns that came with war, Suyuan lost her first husband and suffered the mother's ultimate tragedy: she was forced to leave her twin baby daughters behind. As an immigrant to America, Suyuan was grateful for all the opportunities it held and for the perils it did not have. "[She] believed you could be anything you wanted to be in America. America was where all my mother's hopes lay" (Tan 141). Her daughter of her second marriage, however, was not willing as a child to work for or to believe in Suyuan's dreams for the future. Suyuan couldn't relate to her daughter. Though she was intelligent and knowledgeable among her contemporaries in China, Suyuan was isolated by her American daughter.!

What Lindo expresses as an indifferent opinion, Waverly construes as criticism. Waverly interprets as strict expectations what Lindo holds just as simple hopes.

I did understand finally...what had been true all along. I saw...I had been fight-

Solid understanding comes from petty misunderstandings. Waverly Jong did not achieve a solid understanding with her mother until she became an adult. In the vigne

Some common words found in the essay are:
Shields Waverly, Jing-mei Woo, America America, China Japanese, Love Many-Splendored, Luck Club, , Waverly Jong, America Suyuan, China Solid, mother daughter, solid understanding,

Approximate Word count = 754
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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Joy Luck Club

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