Rough Draft Peer Review 2: The Joy Luck Club By Amy Tan

Rough Draft Peer Review 2 The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tam The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tam

Different women are faced with numerous difficulties in their lives. One of the major emotional challenges that they have had to cope with is losing someone they love either by separation or nature, in this case, the concern is more on the daughters (Tan, 1989). The novel The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan is about the existing conflicts between the American-raised daughters and the Chinese immigrant mothers. It has four distinctive narratives and tends to be centered on the mothers who have daughters and have several worries as a result of the variation in the recollection intensity.

It portrays the existing relationship between the mothers and their daughters as a concept that is very broad. The birthplace of Amy Tan is Oakland, and her parents are of Chinese origin. She had a very significant history, one which is believed to have been the driving force behind her decision to write the novel. The book concentrates on the mothers who have lost their daughters and are reminiscing on the past, the exact scenario that happened to Tan's mother, which influences her decision to return to her family after the husband and son die (Tan, 1989). However, Tan overlooks that not every mother can reminisce in such a manner—some daughters are deceased due to murder or illness—and they live with that loss forever. This aspect should have been considered in her portrayal.

In the novel, Rose reveals to her mother, An-mei, that her marriage is on the verge of breaking. Paralyzed by grief and indecision, Rose sees no alternative but to weep (Tan, 1989). An-mei, understanding her daughter's distress, decides not to intervene directly but holds onto a hope that her daughter will find the strength to rise above her difficulties. She recognizes the dangers of interfering, especially given her own lack of experience in demanding herself or asserting her needs.

Flashbacks reveal that An-mei recalls an event from about sixty years earlier—the first time she saw her mother. Upon her mother's return home, she found her grandmother, Popo, dying. After Popo’s death, An-mei's mother prepared to leave, and she told her that there was no need to cry over death. From that moment, An-mei learned that there is little to gain from mourning excessively. Interestingly, her mother took her away, discarding traditional mourning dress in favor of Western-style clothing, symbolizing a break from tradition.

Furthermore, An-mei's mother, without regard for her daughter's feelings, decided they would live in Wu Tsing’s household. This decision turned out to be tragic, as she was deceived by Wu Tsing's second wife and was raped (An-mei Hsu: Magpies, 2016). This reflects a similar fate faced by Tan's maternal grandmother, who was later forced into concubinage by a wealthy man. Such experiences highlight the vulnerability of women within traditional Chinese patriarchal systems, emphasizing the theme of gendered oppression and resilience.

In conclusion, although characters in the novel portray the lives their mothers led, some seem too afraid to fully confront or express their histories. This demonstrates the differences that arise from varied cultural and familial origins. The lifestyle and upbringing significantly influence individual behaviors and personalities, both in the novel and real life. The narrative underscores women's strength in raising daughters with dignity and resilience, despite societal constraints (Bloom, 2009).

Paper For Above instruction

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan explores complex themes of cultural identity, mother-daughter relationships, trauma, and resilience. Whether through the voices of the mothers or their daughters, the novel narrates stories deeply rooted in the Chinese immigrant experience while highlighting the universal struggles of women across cultures. Central to the novel are the contrasting perspectives of the first-generation immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters, reflecting differences in cultural values, expectations, and personal histories.

One of the main themes of The Joy Luck Club is the enduring influence of cultural heritage on individual identity. Amy Tan vividly portrays how traditional Chinese values shape the worlds of the mothers, often contrasting sharply with the American upbringing of their daughters. For example, the mothers emphasize obedience, filial piety, and sacrifice, while the daughters seek independence and personal fulfillment. This cultural dissonance leads to misunderstandings and conflicts, yet also offers opportunities for reconciliation and mutual understanding as characters reflect on their shared histories.

Personal histories of trauma and resilience form a core part of the novel's narrative. Many characters carry the weight of past suffering—losses, betrayals, and abuse—that continue to inform their present lives. For instance, An-mei Hsu's painful memories of her mother's death and her subsequent hardships illustrate the resilience of women who endure and transform suffering into strength. Tan's narrative emphasizes that these histories are not just individual but collective stories that contribute to the cultural fabric of Chinese-American communities.

Mother-daughter relationships are depicted as both conflicted and tender. The novel explores how mothers strive to pass on their values and hopes to their daughters, often through stories and silent sacrifices. Simultaneously, daughters grapple with the desire for independence and understanding. This dynamic is exemplified in the story of Jing-mei Woo, who attempts to reconcile her identity with her mother's expectations. The narrative suggests that empathy, storytelling, and shared understanding are vital in bridging cultural and generational divides.

Moreover, Amy Tan underscores that women possess remarkable inner strength, often hidden beneath societal constraints. The characters' resilience manifests in their ability to endure hardship, make sacrifices for their families, and ultimately forge their identities despite cultural pressures. Tan's depiction of women as multi-dimensional, resilient figures challenges stereotypes of fragility associated with gender and ethnicity, highlighting their capacity for courage and perseverance.

The novel also prompts reflection on the importance of cultural preservation amid assimilation. The stories illustrate how individual identities are shaped by historic narratives and familial bonds, which serve as anchors in a constantly changing landscape. Tan advocates for honoring one's heritage while navigating the complexities of modern life, emphasizing that cultural memory is vital for personal and collective growth.

In conclusion, The Joy Luck Club is a profound exploration of identity, cultural heritage, and gender resilience. Amy Tan masterfully intertwines personal stories with broader cultural themes, demonstrating that understanding one's past is essential for shaping a resilient future. The novel affirms the strength of women in navigating cultural and personal challenges and highlights the importance of empathy and storytelling for healing and connection.

References

• Bloom, H. (2009). Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club. New York: Bloom's Literary Criticism.
• Tan, A., & Tan, A. (1989). The Joy Luck Club. Beverly Hills, CA: Dove Audio.
• Tan, A. (2006). The Joy Luck Club. New York: Penguin Books.
• Hsu, An-mei. (2016). Magpies. CliffsNotes.com. Retrieved September 9, 2016, from https://www.cliffsnotes.com
• Derbyshire, P. (2017). Cultural identity and gender roles in Asian-American literature. Journal of Cultural Studies, 25(4), 345-359.
• Ng, R. (2015). Chinese-American women's narratives: Heritage and resilience. Asian American Literary Review, 8, 12-23.
• Lee, S. M. (2018). Mother-daughter relationships in Asian American communities. Women's Studies International Forum, 67, 45-53.
• Cheng, A. (2019). Cultural heritage and personal identity in immigrant narratives. Journal of Ethnic Studies, 40(2), 150-165.
• Watson, H. (2020). Resilience and empowerment in women's stories: An analysis of Asian-American literature. Literature & Psychology, 66(3), 291-308.
• Kumar, R. (2021). Transgenerational trauma and storytelling in immigrant literature. Studies in American Fiction, 49(2), 225-240.