“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots” –Marcus Garvey Chapter 1, 2, 3, & 4 Feathers from a Thousand Li Away

Forming Connections between chapters. The parable that leads off this section, about the swan and feathers, represents the mothers’ hopes for their daughters in America and prepares the reader to understand the back stories of these women. The relationship between these chapters highlights the women’s upbringings in China. While their stories vary from each other, they give us insight into the difficulties they faced.

Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 4 Each of the aunties have their own chapter in the first portion of the book except for Suyuan, who had recently passed away. The progression of the ch. 1 leads us to the notion that each of the mothers worry about their relationship with their daughters. Concluding with the mothers being worried that June says she doesn’t know anything about Suyuan.

Making Connections: The next section of the book focuses on the mothers instructing their daughters on how to live their lives. How much do you think their mother’s difficult experiences in China impact their mothering in America? Why do you think it’s important to understand the mother’s stories? Did you ever find out a story about parent/grandparent that helped you understand them better?

The Mothers: Suyuan: We know her painful story about being a refugee in Kewelin, forming the Joy Luck Club, and giving up her daughters. An-Mei: Her pain stems from being abandoned by her mother. Lindo: Gets forced into a marriage she doesn’t want and tries to escape. Ying-ying: Always felt alone, never spoke up, and always felt like a lost soul.

Cultural/Generational Disconnection “I worry that someday she will say, ‘Thank you, Grandmother, for the gold bracelet. I’ll never forget you.’ But later she will forget her promise. She will forget she had a grandmother” –Lindo (Tan 43). “And because I remained quiet for so long now my daughter does not hear me” –Ying-Ying (Tan 64).