1. Film and Literature The Joy Luck Club Flora Li-ping Chang 2013.3.30

2. The Joy Luck Club (novel 1989) (film 1993) Writer: Amy Tan Director: Wayne Wang Genre: Romance, Drama

3. Table of Contents The Writer, Amy Tan The Writer, Amy Tan Background 1-5 Background 1-5 Setting Setting Plot Plot Character-Analysis Character-Analysis Thematic Concern Thematic Concern Style Style Metaphor Metaphor Critical Review Critical Review Conclusion Conclusion Questions for Questions for Discussion Discussion

4. The Writer, Amy Tan Brief Biography & Education: Brief Biography & Education: Born in Oakland, California, USA, Born in Oakland, California, USA, on February 19, 1952 on February 19, 1952 F: John Yeuhan Tan, minister, electrical engineer F: John Yeuhan Tan, minister, electrical engineer M: Daisy (Tu Ching) Tan, vocational nurse M: Daisy (Tu Ching) Tan, vocational nurse * moved to USA, 1949 * moved to USA, 1949 Grew up in San Francisco Grew up in San Francisco

5. The Writer, Amy Tan Brief Biography & Education: Brief Biography & Education: Hobbies: Piano Hobbies: Piano Drawing Drawing San Jose State U (BA ‘ 73, MA ’ 74) San Jose State U (BA ‘ 73, MA ’ 74) ( Eng/ling) (ling) ( Eng/ling) (ling) Written essays for numerous magazines Written essays for numerous magazines To live in New York with her husband Lou Demattei and their pets To live in New York with her husband Lou Demattei and their pets

6. The Writer, Amy Tan Her novels: Her novels: The Joy Luck Club (1989)— d The Joy Luck Club (1989)—Bay Area Book Reviewers Award, American Library Association award, National Book Critics Circle Award The Kitchen God’s Wife (1991)— Booklist editor’s choice The Kitchen God’s Wife (1991)— Booklist editor’s choice The Hundred Secret Senses (1995) The Hundred Secret Senses (1995) The Bonesetter’s Daughter (2001) The Bonesetter’s Daughter (2001) The Opposite of Fate: A Book of Musings (2003) Saving Fish from Drowning (2005)

7. The Writer, Amy Tan Children’s Books: Children’s Books: The Moon Lady (1992) The Moon Lady (1992) The Chinese Siamese Cat (1994) The Chinese Siamese Cat (1994)

8. The Writer, Amy Tan Her career: Her career: Started business-writing firm: speeches, sales presentations, etc., for executives. Started business-writing firm: speeches, sales presentations, etc., for executives. Free-lance technical writer, writing computer manuals. Free-lance technical writer, writing computer manuals. Work in language therapy programs. Work in language therapy programs. Creative writing for therapeutic value. Creative writing for therapeutic value. Published a couple of short stories (later in JLC) Published a couple of short stories (later in JLC)

9. Background 1 Mother/Daughter Relationships: Mother/Daughter Relationships: Stories of four Chinese-immigrant women vs. their four American-born daughters Stories of four Chinese-immigrant women vs. their four American-born daughters Mother’s view in China vs. daughter’s understanding of mother’s past and adaptation to the American way of life for mother’s acceptance Mother’s view in China vs. daughter’s understanding of mother’s past and adaptation to the American way of life for mother’s acceptance

10. Background 2 Origin of JLC: Origin of JLC: The history of The Joy Luck Club: Suyuan Woo The history of The Joy Luck Club: Suyuan Woo To lift her friends' spirits and distract them from their problems during the Japanese invasion (In China) To lift her friends' spirits and distract them from their problems during the Japanese invasion (In China) To hope to bring luck to her family and friends and finding joy in that hope (In USA) Amy Tan’s intention: Understanding Amy Tan’s intention: Understanding

11. Background 3 Culture/Conflict/Heritage Culture/Conflict/Heritage Chinese parents’ expectation of their daughters (Americanized children to think like Chinese) Chinese parents’ expectation of their daughters (Americanized children to think like Chinese) Generational differences & cultural distinctions (Mother vs. Daughter) Generational differences & cultural distinctions (Mother vs. Daughter) Tan ’ s Intention (to sort out the cultural heritage and historical roots; to learn how to get along better with her mother) Tan ’ s Intention (to sort out the cultural heritage and historical roots; to learn how to get along better with her mother)

12. Background 4 Hero with thousand faces: Hero with thousand faces: Departure: Old World  New World Departure: Old World  New World Initiation: Ordeal  Enlightenment Initiation: Ordeal  Enlightenment Return Return

13. Background 5 Reader’s Response: Reader’s Response: Critics: Tan’s straightforward manner Critics: Tan’s straightforward manner ( (Chinese culture and other/daughter relationships) mother/daughter relationships) Readers: Women’s Reaction Readers: Women’s Reaction Men’s Reaction Men’s Reaction Everyone:Tan’s humor, fairness, and Everyone:Tan’s humor, fairness, and objectivity objectivity

14. Setting The stories of the daughters take place in San Francisco. The stories of the daughters take place in San Francisco. The stories told about the mothers are told from different parts of China. Including: Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. The stories told about the mothers are told from different parts of China. Including: Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. The stories of the women date back to the 1910s when the mothers were born up to the 1980s when the daughters are grown. The stories of the women date back to the 1910s when the mothers were born up to the 1980s when the daughters are grown.

15. Plot 1 The first story focuses on Suyuan Woo, who comes to America in 1947, having lost her family, including twin daughters, during war. She does not know her daughters were rescued. Now remarried, she settles in San Francisco, has a daughter, Jing-mei (June), and starts a Joy Luck Club similar to one in China with three other women. The four form strong friendships. The stories told about the mothers are told from different parts of China. Including: Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. The first story focuses on Suyuan Woo, who comes to America in 1947, having lost her family, including twin daughters, during war. She does not know her daughters were rescued. Now remarried, she settles in San Francisco, has a daughter, Jing-mei (June), and starts a Joy Luck Club similar to one in China with three other women. The four form strong friendships. The stories told about the mothers are told from different parts of China. Including: Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. The stories of the women date back to the 1910s when the mothers were born up to the 1980s when the daughters are grown. The stories of the women date back to the 1910s when the mothers were born up to the 1980s when the daughters are grown.

16. Plot 2 As she grows up, Jing-mei and her mother struggle to understand one another. They never completely resolve their differences, and Suyuan dies unexpectedly. At the next meeting of the Joy Luck Club, her mother’s friends tell Jing-mei that Suyuan’s twin daughters have been found. They give her a check so she can visit them. As the novel ends, she meets her sisters in Shanghai. As she grows up, Jing-mei and her mother struggle to understand one another. They never completely resolve their differences, and Suyuan dies unexpectedly. At the next meeting of the Joy Luck Club, her mother’s friends tell Jing-mei that Suyuan’s twin daughters have been found. They give her a check so she can visit them. As the novel ends, she meets her sisters in Shanghai.

17. Plot 3 A second set of stories focuses on An-mei, who lives with her grandmother because her mother has been disowned. When An-mei is nine, her grandmother dies; and An-mei leaves with her mother to live in the home of a wealthy man and his other wives. An-mei learns how her mother was forced into a dishonorable second marriage and why she has no control over her own life. Her mother’s subsequent suicide provides An-mei a better life. A second set of stories focuses on An-mei, who lives with her grandmother because her mother has been disowned. When An-mei is nine, her grandmother dies; and An-mei leaves with her mother to live in the home of a wealthy man and his other wives. An-mei learns how her mother was forced into a dishonorable second marriage and why she has no control over her own life. Her mother’s subsequent suicide provides An-mei a better life.

18. Plot 4 As an adult An-mei comes to San Francisco. She and her husband have seven children, including Rose. Rose marries Ted, a dermatologist, who has an affair and divorces her. Rose is overwhelmed but recovers. As an adult An-mei comes to San Francisco. She and her husband have seven children, including Rose. Rose marries Ted, a dermatologist, who has an affair and divorces her. Rose is overwhelmed but recovers.

19. Plot 5 The third series of stories focuses on Lindo. She marries Tyan-yu, but he never sleeps with her. Unable to tell her domineering mother-in-law the truth, she devises a clever plan and is released from her marriage honorably. She comes to San Francisco and marries Tin Jong. Waverly is a child chess prodigy. She and her mother maneuver through their differences throughout her childhood and into adulthood. Their differences climax over Waverly’s fiancee? Rich Schields, and the two women reconcile. The third series of stories focuses on Lindo. She marries Tyan-yu, but he never sleeps with her. Unable to tell her domineering mother-in-law the truth, she devises a clever plan and is released from her marriage honorably. She comes to San Francisco and marries Tin Jong. Waverly is a child chess prodigy. She and her mother maneuver through their differences throughout her childhood and into adulthood. Their differences climax over Waverly’s fiancee? Rich Schields, and the two women reconcile.

20. Plot 6 The fourth series of stories focuses on Ying- ying. Born into a wealthy family, she is a spirited child who nearly drowns when she is four. She grows into a haughty young woman and marries a crude man who abandons her after she becomes pregnant. Ten years later she marries Clifford St. Clair, an American exporter, even though she doesn’t love him. They come to San Francisco and have one daughter, Lena. Their second child is stillborn, and Ying-ying is depressed for months afterward. Her depression affects Lena. The fourth series of stories focuses on Ying- ying. Born into a wealthy family, she is a spirited child who nearly drowns when she is four. She grows into a haughty young woman and marries a crude man who abandons her after she becomes pregnant. Ten years later she marries Clifford St. Clair, an American exporter, even though she doesn’t love him. They come to San Francisco and have one daughter, Lena. Their second child is stillborn, and Ying-ying is depressed for months afterward. Her depression affects Lena.

21. Plot 7 As an adult Lena marries Harold Livotny, who takes advantage of her. Ying-ying feels responsible for raising so powerless a daughter. She wants to encourage Lena to speak up for herself. As an adult Lena marries Harold Livotny, who takes advantage of her. Ying-ying feels responsible for raising so powerless a daughter. She wants to encourage Lena to speak up for herself.

22. Character Analysis Mothers Mothers Suyuan Woo Suyuan Woo An-mei Hsu An-mei Hsu Lindo Jong Lindo Jong Ying-ying St. Clair Ying-ying St. Clair Daughters Daughters June Woo Rose Hsu Jordan Waverly Jong Lena St. Clair

23. Character Analysis Suyuan Woo Suyuan Woo Sits at the East of the table. Sits at the East of the table. This is where things begin. This is where things begin. She is the founder of the Joy Luck Club. She is the founder of the Joy Luck Club. She wants only the best for her daughter be sometimes becomes overly critical. She wants only the best for her daughter be sometimes becomes overly critical.

24. Character Analysis Suyuan Woo Suyuan Woo When the Japanese attack she is forced from her home and wanders for days with her twins strapped on her back. When the Japanese attack she is forced from her home and wanders for days with her twins strapped on her back. She must leave them on the street, and never see them again. She must leave them on the street, and never see them again. She dies at the beginning of the book leaving her daughter to take her place in the club and to find her lost twins. She dies at the beginning of the book leaving her daughter to take her place in the club and to find her lost twins.

25. Character Analysis June-Mei Woo June-Mei Woo When Daughter of Suyuan Woo When Daughter of Suyuan Woo Her mother pushed her to be a child prodigy at the piano when she was little but she never wanted to be anything but normal. Her mother pushed her to be a child prodigy at the piano when she was little but she never wanted to be anything but normal. She has no desire to be married or finish school. She has no desire to be married or finish school. June becomes an advertising agent. June becomes an advertising agent. June and Waverly are in constant competition. June and Waverly are in constant competition.

26. Character Analysis Auntie An-Mei Auntie An-Mei Sits at the south. Sits at the south. When she was younger her mother was tricked into being a concubine for a rich man after her father died. When she was younger her mother was tricked into being a concubine for a rich man after her father died. In her unhappiness, her mother commits suicide. In her unhappiness, her mother commits suicide. An-mei too becomes overly critical and controlling of her daughter. An-mei too becomes overly critical and controlling of her daughter.

27. Character Analysis Rose Hsu Jordan Rose Hsu Jordan Daughter of An-Mei Daughter of An-Mei When she was young the family took a trip to the beach and Rose was left in charge of watching her brothers. When she was young the family took a trip to the beach and Rose was left in charge of watching her brothers. Her youngest brother drowned and she forever lives in the memory of the guilt. Her youngest brother drowned and she forever lives in the memory of the guilt. When she was an adult her husband, Ted, left her for another woman. When she was an adult her husband, Ted, left her for another woman. Instead of keeping silent like her culture required, she stood up for herself and hired a lawyer in order to keep the house. Instead of keeping silent like her culture required, she stood up for herself and hired a lawyer in order to keep the house.

28. Character Analysis Lindo Jong Lindo Jong Sits in the west. Sits in the west. Was forced into an arranged marriage that was decided at her birth. Was forced into an arranged marriage that was decided at her birth. Her mother-in-law despised her because she wouldn ’ t have a son. Her mother-in-law despised her because she wouldn ’ t have a son. She found out a way to get out of the marriage by tricking the family into thinking the contract was not valid. She found out a way to get out of the marriage by tricking the family into thinking the contract was not valid. She went to America. She went to America. She is a very proud woman and is not happy when her daughter is embarrassed by her. She is a very proud woman and is not happy when her daughter is embarrassed by her.

29. Character Analysis Waverly Jong Waverly Jong Lindo Jong ’ s Daughter Lindo Jong ’ s Daughter Waverly was a child prodigy of chess. Waverly was a child prodigy of chess. She won many tournaments and her mother became obsessed with her success. She won many tournaments and her mother became obsessed with her success. Fed up with her mother ’ s bragging Waverly quits. Fed up with her mother ’ s bragging Waverly quits. As an adult Waverly ’ s husband left her with a young daughter and she has now met a new man in the same law firm. As an adult Waverly ’ s husband left her with a young daughter and she has now met a new man in the same law firm. Rich, her fianc é, doesn ’ t make a good impression on the strict Chinese family, but is accepted anyway. Rich, her fianc é, doesn ’ t make a good impression on the strict Chinese family, but is accepted anyway. Waverly is resentful at her mother ’ s ability to only look at the negative. Waverly is resentful at her mother ’ s ability to only look at the negative.

30. Character Analysis Ying-ying Ying-ying Sits in the North Sits in the North Ying-ying was a spoiled child, spunky and full of life. Ying-ying was a spoiled child, spunky and full of life. When she becomes sixteen she believes that she can see the future. When she becomes sixteen she believes that she can see the future. She marries a man who is significantly older than she who leaves her for a dancer. She marries a man who is significantly older than she who leaves her for a dancer. In her hurt she shuts herself off from love. In her hurt she shuts herself off from love. She comes to America where she meets her second husband and has Lena. She comes to America where she meets her second husband and has Lena.

31. Character Analysis Lena St. Clair Lena St. Clair Her mother tells her that if she doesn’t eat all of her rice her husband will be pock faced. To keep away from a boy down the street she quits eating so that he would be so sick he would die. Her mother tells her that if she doesn’t eat all of her rice her husband will be pock faced. To keep away from a boy down the street she quits eating so that he would be so sick he would die. Later she married a man from her same architecture business who added up all the bills and tallied up who spent what. This caused many disagreements between the two. Later she married a man from her same architecture business who added up all the bills and tallied up who spent what. This caused many disagreements between the two.

32. Thematic Concern Conflict: Conflict: Mother vs. Daughter: Each daughter struggled with her mother’s expectations and criticalness. Mother vs. Daughter: Each daughter struggled with her mother’s expectations and criticalness. Daughters vs. Culture: The mothers where not allowed to marry again after their husbands left or died without adding shame to their families. Yet the daughters were all going through divorces, remarriages, not wanting to be married at all. Daughters vs. Culture: The mothers where not allowed to marry again after their husbands left or died without adding shame to their families. Yet the daughters were all going through divorces, remarriages, not wanting to be married at all.

33. Thematic Concern Conflict: Conflict: Mother vs. Religion: each mother had her superstitions. They believed in God and yet they did not know doctrine. Mother vs. Religion: each mother had her superstitions. They believed in God and yet they did not know doctrine. Mother vs. American Culture: Each mother had to cope with the changes that they saw in America and the affect America had on them Mother vs. American Culture: Each mother had to cope with the changes that they saw in America and the affect America had on them

34. Thematic Concern Difference : Chinese Culture vs. American Culture Difference : Chinese Culture vs. American Culture “ Chinese people had Chinese opinions, and American People had American Opinions. Usually the American opinion was better. ” – Rose “ Chinese people had Chinese opinions, and American People had American Opinions. Usually the American opinion was better. ” – Rose “ I was raised Chinese way: I was taught to desire nothing, to swallow other people ’ s misery, to eat my own bitterness. ” – An-mei “ I was raised Chinese way: I was taught to desire nothing, to swallow other people ’ s misery, to eat my own bitterness. ” – An-mei The daughters defy their mothers, find jobs, divorce, and get their hair cut by homosexuals. The daughters defy their mothers, find jobs, divorce, and get their hair cut by homosexuals. The mothers are critical and only want the absolute best for their daughters. The mothers are critical and only want the absolute best for their daughters.

35. Thematic Concern Struggle: religion and superstition Struggle: religion and superstition “ My mother believed in God ’ s will for many years. She said it was faith that kept all these food things coming our way, only I thought that she said, ‘ fate, ’ because she couldn ’ t pronounce that, ‘ the, ’ sound in ‘ faith. ’ And later I discovered that it was fate all along. “ My mother believed in God ’ s will for many years. She said it was faith that kept all these food things coming our way, only I thought that she said, ‘ fate, ’ because she couldn ’ t pronounce that, ‘ the, ’ sound in ‘ faith. ’ And later I discovered that it was fate all along. Some believed that they could tell the future. Some believed that they could tell the future.

36. Thematic Concern Struggle: religion and superstition Struggle: religion and superstition If a house was slanted a wrong way the baby would die. If a house was slanted a wrong way the baby would die. If your earlobe is big then you will have a lot of wisdom. If your earlobe is big then you will have a lot of wisdom. If your nose is long then you will have riches. If your nose is long then you will have riches. Yet they all went to church with the missionaries in San Francisco. Yet they all went to church with the missionaries in San Francisco.

37. Style Vocabulary/diction: Vocabulary/diction: Tan used a lot of dialog to express the tension between the characters and the difficulty of the language barriers Tan used a lot of dialog to express the tension between the characters and the difficulty of the language barriers She incorporated Chinese words into her dialog and then defined them to add affect to the themes. She incorporated Chinese words into her dialog and then defined them to add affect to the themes. Heimongmong: dark fog Heimongmong: dark fog Ying-Ying ’ s second husband didn ’ t know how to propose so he asked if her he she would spouse him. Ying-Ying ’ s second husband didn ’ t know how to propose so he asked if her he she would spouse him. When the characters were not using Chinese words the mothers all had strong dialects When the characters were not using Chinese words the mothers all had strong dialects “ A mother is best. Mother see inside of you. ” – An- Mei “ A mother is best. Mother see inside of you. ” – An- Mei

38. Style Descriptive language Descriptive language Tan described things in a unique way Tan described things in a unique way She didn’t use a lot of sensory detail but rather described the feelings of the characters. She didn’t use a lot of sensory detail but rather described the feelings of the characters. When reading the book, you could not see the place that action was happening without imagination but you could feel the despair that was taking place within the character. When reading the book, you could not see the place that action was happening without imagination but you could feel the despair that was taking place within the character. “ I felt numb, strangely weak, as if someone ad unplugged the current through me.” “ I felt numb, strangely weak, as if someone ad unplugged the current through me.”

39. Style Descriptive language Descriptive language She described the characters traits by presenting their actions. She described the characters traits by presenting their actions. “Sometimes she would start to make dinner, but would stop half way, the water running full steam in the sink, her knife posed in the air over half-chopped vegetables, silent, tears flowing.” “Sometimes she would start to make dinner, but would stop half way, the water running full steam in the sink, her knife posed in the air over half-chopped vegetables, silent, tears flowing.” The characters used many illustrations The characters used many illustrations “It was as if he were running to catch things before they fell, only he would fall before he could catch anything. “It was as if he were running to catch things before they fell, only he would fall before he could catch anything.

40. Style Sentence Structure Sentence Structure When the daughters are speaking they use long sentences, with several commas and sometimes run-ons. This is to point out the fluency of their English. When the daughters are speaking they use long sentences, with several commas and sometimes run-ons. This is to point out the fluency of their English. When the mothers speak they have short, choppy sentences and sometimes fragments When the mothers speak they have short, choppy sentences and sometimes fragments

41. Style Order of events Order of events They were sporadic and sometimes hard to follow but this added to the story telling affect. They were sporadic and sometimes hard to follow but this added to the story telling affect.

42. Metaphor 1. swan feather 1. swan feather 2. jade necklace 2. jade necklace 3. crab 3. crab 4. chess & piano 4. chess & piano 5. the male baby 5. the male baby 6. water melon 6. water melon 7. opium 7. opium 8. East 8. East 9. Coca-cola 9. Coca-cola 10. Joy Luck Club 10. Joy Luck Club

43. Critical Review Suzanne D’Mello: from a review of The Bonesetter’s Daughter (in The Weekly Standard) In her enormously popular first novel, The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan took up the relations of immigrant Chinese mothers and their assimilated daughters, shifting her story back and forth from pre-World War II China to modern-day San Francisco, alternating the voices of the mothers with the voices of their daughters. 

44. Initial Reviews: [see CLC Vol. 59] Michael Dorris: “Amy Tan, a writer of dazzling talent, has created an intricate tapestry of a book--one tale woven into the other, a panorama of distinctive voices….” Chicago Tribune--Books, Mar. 12, 1989 Michael Dorris: “Amy Tan, a writer of dazzling talent, has created an intricate tapestry of a book--one tale woven into the other, a panorama of distinctive voices….” Chicago Tribune--Books, Mar. 12, 1989 Susan Dooley: “…a book without a central plot but with characters and events that are as powerful as myth, and which often entangle it. … Each story is a fascinating vignette and together they weave the reader through a world…. Washington Post Book World, Mar.5, 1989 Susan Dooley: “…a book without a central plot but with characters and events that are as powerful as myth, and which often entangle it. … Each story is a fascinating vignette and together they weave the reader through a world…. Washington Post Book World, Mar.5, 1989

45. Emotional responses… Carolyn See: The Joy Luck Club is so powerful, so full of magic, that by the end of the second paragraph, your heart catches; by the end of the first page, tears blur your vision, and one third of the way down on Page 26, you know you won’t be doing anything of importance until you have finished this novel.... LA Times Book Review, March 12, 1989 Carolyn See: The Joy Luck Club is so powerful, so full of magic, that by the end of the second paragraph, your heart catches; by the end of the first page, tears blur your vision, and one third of the way down on Page 26, you know you won’t be doing anything of importance until you have finished this novel.... LA Times Book Review, March 12, 1989 Susan Dooley: “…a book without a central plot but with characters and events that are as powerful as myth, and which often entangle it. … Each story is a fascinating vignette and together they weave the reader through a world…. Washington Post Book World, Mar.5, 1989 Susan Dooley: “…a book without a central plot but with characters and events that are as powerful as myth, and which often entangle it. … Each story is a fascinating vignette and together they weave the reader through a world…. Washington Post Book World, Mar.5, 1989

46. Emotional responses… Carolyn See continued… Carolyn See continued… If, so far, I haven’t done justice to this book, that’s because you can’t turn a poem into prose, or explain magic, without destroying the magic, destroying the poem.... If, so far, I haven’t done justice to this book, that’s because you can’t turn a poem into prose, or explain magic, without destroying the magic, destroying the poem.... Joy Luck Club is dazzling because of the worlds it gives us.” Joy Luck Club is dazzling because of the worlds it gives us.”

47. Questions for Discussion 1. Do you think that parents have a harder time knowing their children if they are raised in a different culture from their own? 1. Do you think that parents have a harder time knowing their children if they are raised in a different culture from their own? 2. Are the tensions seen here between the mothers and daughters part of most mother- daughter relationship, or if is it specific for immigrants? 2. Are the tensions seen here between the mothers and daughters part of most mother- daughter relationship, or if is it specific for immigrants? 3. What are the biggest differences in culture between 1940s China and 1980s America? In terms of society ’ s treatment of women, how much has China changed since the stories seen in this film? 3. What are the biggest differences in culture between 1940s China and 1980s America? In terms of society ’ s treatment of women, how much has China changed since the stories seen in this film?

48. Questions for Discussion 4. Of the mother ’ s stories, whose story was the most dramatic? 4. Of the mother ’ s stories, whose story was the most dramatic? 5. What did you like and not like about this movie? 5. What did you like and not like about this movie? 6. In what ways might this mother represent all immigrants to America? 6. In what ways might this mother represent all immigrants to America? 7. Why did Suyuan organize the first Joy Luck Club? 7. Why did Suyuan organize the first Joy Luck Club?

49. Questions for Discussion 8. According to Suyuan, what is the difference between Jewish and Chinese mah jong? 8. According to Suyuan, what is the difference between Jewish and Chinese mah jong? 9. What motivates the aunties to give Jing- mei money for a trip to China? 9. What motivates the aunties to give Jing- mei money for a trip to China? 10. What do the aunties want Jing-mei to tell her sisters in China about? 10. What do the aunties want Jing-mei to tell her sisters in China about?

50. Conclusion Critics appreciate Tan's straightforward manner as well as the skill with which she talks about Chinese culture and mother/daughter relationships. Readers also love The Joy Luck Club: women of all ages identify with Tan's characters and their conflicts with their families, while men have an opportunity through this novel to better understand their own behaviors towards women. Any reader can appreciate Tan's humor, fairness, and objectivity.

51. Thanks for your attention! Flora Li-ping Chang Flora Li-ping Chang