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The Joy Luck Club: themes and context
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Tan explores what passes between immigrant mothers and their American daughters: love, hopes, misunderstanding and identity.
Context
Many Chinese people emigrated to the USA in the twentieth century, some escaping war and upheaval in China, including the Japanese invasion in the 1930s and 1940s.
Amy Tan, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, grew up in California. The novel was published in 1989.
Amy Tan, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, grew up in California. The novel was published in 1989.
Key themes
Mothers and daughters: love and conflict between generations.
Cultural identity: the daughters feel American, but discover their Chinese heritage.
Communication and language: mothers and daughters often misunderstand each other's words and values.
Sacrifice and hope: the mothers suffered so their daughters could have better lives.
Cultural identity: the daughters feel American, but discover their Chinese heritage.
Communication and language: mothers and daughters often misunderstand each other's words and values.
Sacrifice and hope: the mothers suffered so their daughters could have better lives.
Methods
Short stories with different narrators let readers piece together the whole picture.
Symbols and stories from China (often told by the mothers) carry their lessons.
Symbols and stories from China (often told by the mothers) carry their lessons.
How does language create conflict in the novel?
- The mothers speak limited English and think in Chinese values.
- The daughters speak English and think in American ways.
- Misunderstandings grow, though their love remains.
Answer: Different languages and values cause misunderstandings between mothers and daughters, despite their love.
Context: Chinese immigration, war in China, Tan's own background, published 1989. Themes: mothers and daughters, cultural identity, communication, sacrifice and hope.
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