Lindo Jong, Waverly’s Mother The Red Candle, Chapter 3 Lindo Jong, Waverly’s Mother

Matchmaking and Dowries In ancient China matchmaking was customary for Chinese children. Parents would contact the matchmaker of the town who would match children based on their horoscopes, the position of the sun when the child was born, and family status. A dowry is a gift (money, land, furniture) the woman’s family offers to the husband. Lindo’s family sends her to the Huang’s with furniture. Based on the chapter, what do you think the narrator’s point of view on matchingmaking is? What do you think the cons of matchmaking could be? What about the pros?

Important Quotations “A daughter can promise to come to dinner, but if she has a headache, if she has a traffic jam, if she wants to watch a favorite movie on TV, she no longer has a promise. I watched the same movie when you did not come” (Tan 42). What does this quote at the beginning of the chapter reveal about Lindo’s relationship with her daughter? How does this relate to the mother’s concerns in ch.1? “But even if I had known I was getting such a bad husband, I had no chance now or later. That was how backward families in the country were. We were always the last to give up stupid old-fashioned customs” (Tan 45). This quotation provides foreshadowing that Lindo did not agree with the idea of matchmaking and possibly did something to release her from the confines of it.

A Cold Mother or a Mother Sacrificing for her Daughter? “He could not stop my mother from giving me her chang, a necklace made out of a tablet of red jade. When she put it around my neck, she acted very stern, so I knew she was very sad. ‘Obey your family. Do not disgrace us,’ she said. ‘Act happy when you arrive. Really, you’re very lucky” (Tan 48). This offers insight into Lindo’s mother’s worldview: She hid her sadness because she knew marrying Tyuan would elevate Lindo’s position in the world. She also knew her daughter would have to make difficult decisions in life and she wanted to make her tough enough to carry them out.

Truth about the Red Candle Lindo was nearly ready to drown herself in the river before her wedding until she has a realization: “ I made a promise to myself: I would always remember my parents’ wishes, but I would never forget myself” (Tan 53). “My throat filled with so much hope that it finally burst and blew out my husband’s end of the candle.” (Tan 56).” Why did Lindo do this? What do these quotes this reveal about her character?

Written Response Analyze: What do promises mean to Lindo? What does she think they mean to her daughter Waverly? Linking/Thinking Ahead: What was Lindo’s relationship like with her mother? Thus far in the novel, how are all the relationships between mothers and daughters? Reflect: What was Lindo’s promise to her parents? How did she manage to keep it?