The Joy Luck Club depicts the strong Chinese background of its characters. An amalgamation of deep emotions and a twist of humor, the story progresses the factual and typical stories of the Chinese migrating to a foreign land.
Even if Lindo Jong loved her daughter, she could only follow the unwritten racial directive when it came to their Chinese daughters. She thought what she did was best for her daughter by picking a mate for her. What she did not know was the fact that the whole thing was tearing Waverly down. Of the two, Waverly, whose upbringing is now mainly “Americanized,” had a stronger sense of self-esteem by recognizing that the whole thing was wrong but by any means the best thing she could do for her mother. The decision to concede was much of a brevity for a twelve-year old daughter who had to be left behind by her family.
When Jing Mei’s mother died, she knew she had to fulfill her mother’s long-time wish which was to go home to China and meet her daughters from her first husband. When the train left the Hongkong border and entered Shenzhen, China, Jing Mei felt different. She felt “the skin on her forehead tingling, her bones aching with a familiar old pain. Her mother was right. She was becoming Chinese.” She felt it rushing through her as she and her father made the journey to China.She knew she felt it all along but had suppressed the feeling, mainly because she had not believed her mother who was always telling her who she really is.
Ying-Ying St. Claire’s statement on `unseen and not seeing, inheard and not hearing, unknown by others’ was rooted on her encounter with the Moon Lady. Many years back, she had made a secret wish to the Moon Lady. Until then, she could not remember what she really wanted from the Moon Lady, or how it was that she was found again by her family. Both of these things seemed an illusion to Ying-Ying, a wish granted that could not be trusted. And so even when she was found later that night by her family, she never believed that her family found the same girl. Now the only way she and her daughter could find themselves, she would like meet the Moon Lady and ask to be found.
The Dirty Girls Social Club
Some people, whose lives seem incomplete and unsatisfied, would turn to doing things different from the norms of the society, a silent rebellion to hide the feeling of insecurity. In the story The Dirty Girls Social Club, the characters achieved their feeling of self-worth and satisfaction by the lifestyles they have.
Lauren, a resident columnist for the local paper, advertised her work with the line “her casa is su casa, Boston, “ but her own home life was involved in hiding her inside her boyfriend’s closet to catch him in the act of cheating.
Sara, the perfect wife and mother who always knew exactly the life she wanted and how to get it, paid a hefty price living with an abusive husband.
Amber, the most idealistic and artistic member of the club, was raised a valley girl changed her name to Cuicatl.
