FREE ESSAY ON JOY LUCK CLUB

JOY LUCK CLUB

The stories of Suyuan and Jing-Mei Woo reveal some of Amy Tan's main themes in the novel.
One important theme is that we must get to know and understand our parents in order to
fully understand ourselves. June spends the first half of her life believing that she is
a disappointment to her mother and has been unsuccessful in life. However, when she
learns more about her mother's past and discovers that her mother is proud of her good
heart and concern for others, she realizes that she has accomplished something by doing
small things to the best of her ability. She learns that one does not have to be famous,
or a genius, or greatly wealthy in order to be successful. Another important theme is
that we need to make our own choices in life and find our own life's importance. When
June was a child, her mother was constantly pushing her to try different things that she
had no interest in. Because she did not care about any of these things, she did not
really try to be successful, and therefore, would never accomplish anything great. We
build our own importance in life by deeply caring about something that we choose and
putting all of our effort into developing or accomplishing this.
The relationship between June and her mother, Suyuan, is far from flawless, yet has the
foundation of love that can never be destroyed. There are many misunderstandings between
these two women that are unfortunately left unresolved until after Suyuan's death. Amy
Tan uses this relationship and all of its complications to teach the readers important
themes about life. Ultimately, love between this mother and daughter prevails through all
conflict, and even beyond Suyuan's death, when her long-cherished wish of uniting her
daughters is fulfilled.
The Joy Luck Club: Cutural Differences Between Daughters and Mothers 
There are numerous conditions in human life that mold people into who they presently are.
A person's identity and way of thinking are influenced greatly due to their family's
surroundings, and relationships they are involved in. In the novel, The Joy Luck Club,
the characters are generic, in the sense that, although they are from different families,
the problems and emotions experienced are similar. The daughters are in an on-going
search to discover themselves, who they are and what they represent. With their precious
mother-daughter bonds, four immigrants are bewildered at American culture as they
struggle to instill in their daughters remnants of their Chinese heritage. Throughout the
course of the novel, the mystery of the mother-daughter relationship is revealed to the
reader by various means. First, such a strong connection can only be the product of an
essential, timeless, emotion called love: She loved you very much, more than her own life
(Tan 29). Unfortunately, in Chinese culture, mothers rarely say I love you and find
little to no time at all to provide for their daughter's emotional needs. Such attitudes
occasionally lead the children to sense that My mother did not treat me this way because
she didn't love me. She just had a hard time showing her love for me (Tan 45). As well,
the link is also nourished in other ways, such as the swift protection of a mother's
young: She grabbed my hand back so fast that I knew at that instant how sorry she was
that she had not protected me better (Tan 111). There are other ways in which the mystery
of the mother-daughter relationship is uncovered. Because of a mother's enduring love,
they often put up high expectations that are often hard to meet. As well, in the case of
Waverly and June, a mother's love is expressed in the novel by proudly showing off: From
the time we were babies, our mothers compared the creases in our belly buttons, how
shapely our earlobes were, how fast we healed when we scraped our knees... (Tan 64). In
any case, every small act or gesture done out of deep love for one another, strengthens
the bond, that is enkindled at birth. They are frightened. In me, they see their own
daughters, just as ignorant, just as unmindful of all the truths and hopes they have
brought to America. They see daughters who grow up impatient when their mothers talk in
Chinese, who think they are stupid when they explain things in fractured English. They
see daughters who will bear grandchildren born without any connecting hope passed from
generation to generation. (Tan 31) Culture greatly influences the youth of today as
American circumstances considerably influenced the daughters of the novel. In some
instances, the Western culture dominates as the mothers strive on, in its shadow: ...and
because I remained quiet for so long now my daughter does not hear me. She sits by her
fancy swimming pool and hears her Sony Walkman, her cordless phone... (Tan 64). Ying-Ying
ponders upon the fact that, She follows my Chinese ways until she learned how to walk out
the door by herself and go to school (Tan 289). Because of heavy resentment on the
mother's part, in some instances, the American culture is frowned upon and is stereotyped
as having morbid thoughts (Tan 105). Many problems, especially embarrassment, surface
when the younger generation attempts to become absorbed into a new culture, while the
parents insist on clinging to their old ways. The daughters experience troubles while
trying to cope with their immigrant parents. There is an obvious language barrier that
may result in feelings, such as that of Jing-mei: These kinds of explanations made me
feel my mother and I spoke two different languages, which we did. I talked to her in
English, she answered back in Chinese (Tan 23). Often, the daughters feel ashamed. The
people who embarrass them and whom they resent are their parents: I wish you wouldn't do
that, telling everybody I'm your daughter (Tan 101). The young ladies later realize that
it is childish to think that way, and they focus on the future, rather then on past
mistakes. The children feel that their mothers nag constantly when moral issues are
concerned, for example, in the case of a divorce. An-mei prefers that her daughter talks
and works out her personal problems with her husband. If Rose's husband leaves her, then
ultimately she must resort to a divorce. Regardless of what the circumstances are,
mothers are diligently looking out for the well being of their daughters: ...she'd do
anything to warn me, to help me avoid some unknown danger (Tan 108). The mothers of the
novel try their best to provide for their daughters, but this is taken for granted at
times. Lindo explains at one point that inside I am ashamed. I am ashamed she is ashamed.
Because she is my daughter and I am proud of her, and I am her mother but she is not
proud of me (Tan 291). ...but I couldn't teach her about Chinese character. How to obey
parents and listen to your mother's mind... Why easy things are not worth pursuing. why
Chinese thinking is best. No, this kind of thinking didn't stick to her. She was too busy
chewing gum, blowing bubbles bigger than her cheeks. Only that kind of thinking stuck.
(Tan 290) A mother's hunger is to inject what is left of her way of life. Obedience is
first and foremost amongst the mothers: Only two kinds of daughters, those who are
obedient and those who follow their own mind! Only one kind of daughter can live in this
house. Obedient Daughter! (Tan 153). Materialistic needs are not worth pursuing but
finding yourself is: With all these things, I did not care. I had no spirit (Tan 286).
Other times,in trying to instill what is left of the Chinese heritage, the American way
of life is blended in, but alas, I wanted my children to have the best combination:
American circumstances and Chinese character. How could I know these two do not mix? (Tan
289). The characters of the novel, The Joy Luck Club, unravel the intricacies of
combining a Chinese heritage with American circumstances and tell of the relationships
between mothers and daughters. The strong bond, that is present amongst the characters,
will infinitely outlast all obstacles. From each generation, all of the women are like
stairs, one step after another, going up and down, but all going the same way (Tan 241).
There are advantages and disadvantages to growing up with American circumstances, as well
as learning and obtaining Chinese character, but one must be chosen over the other to be
free. I think about two faces. I think about my intentions. Which one is American? Which
one is Chinese? Which one is better? If you show one, you must always sacrifice the other
(Tan 304).