Group member names: Priscilla Aguilar, Clarissa Cabrera, Ivan Chavarin, Ariana Montero

The Joy Luck Club:

Chapter 8 House Competition

Directions: The first team to correctly complete the analysis questions and present them to Mr.
Smith will be awarded 25 points for their House! However, any communication between house
sub-teams will result in a loss of 25 points!

1. Discuss how American children are depicted in contrast with the expectations of Chinese
parents. Identify three specific characteristics of these first-generation youths and provide a
direct quote for each.
A. As Suyuan searches for a child prodigy that her daughter Jing- mei can emulate in order
to reach stardom in America, Suyan fixates her sights on Shirley Temple, who was a
renowned child star that reached peak popularity in the 1930s with her charming
personality and tap-dancing abilities. Temple was well-recognized with her curly bobbed
hair she wore, which is what may have inspired Suyuan to “[take] [Jing-mei] to a beauty
training school in the Mission district” in order for Jing-mei to receive a makeover that
would distinguish her from other actors and celebrities when she reaches stardom (142).
Suyuan views Shirley Temple as the poster child for the American dream that any person
can reach fame and fortune in the United States if the correct efforts are taken, thus
leading her to first take Jing-mei to the salon that will change up her appearance and
make Jing-mei unique and stand out just like Temple’s signature hairstyle.

B. As Jing-mei begins to fantasize about the fame and superstardom she could potentially
reach in America, her fascinations leave her “with a sense that [she] would soon become
perfect” like the American prodigies on television and lead to her parents treasuring her
(143). Seeing the incredibly talented child star personalities on television and Suyuan’s
determination to achieve such fame for Jing-mei has implemented in Jing-mei that these
stars are “perfect” in every way and becoming like one of them would also help her
obtain this perfection would be one of the only ways she could make her parents cherish
her, which leads to Suyuan incessantly placing Jing-mei’s worth on her ability to
exquisitely succeed in an area of talent.

C. While Suyuan continues to search for an area of talent that Jing-mei is masterly gifted in,
she begins to occupy the use of various tests that would examine in what areas she is the
strongest in and where she fails to meet the criteria to become a prodigy in. The excessive
utilization of these tests that would place her at par with other American prodigies made
Jing-mei resent them to an extent where she felt “something inside of me began to die”
after observing her “mother’s disappointed face” time after time that Jing-mei would fail
the tests (144). Suyuan seems to be so anxious to rapidly find an area or task that
Jing-mei succeeds in with the incessant utilization of these tests. The disappointment that
Suyuan displays demonstrates that she realizes that Jing-mei may never be able to please
 her with any talents that will place her at the level or even higher than that of the
American child prodigies.

2. Examine the symbolic meaning of the piano, using at least two direct quotes for support.
The piano in the chapter symbolizes Jing-Mei’s persistent attitude towards being herself, and
Suyuan’s want for her daughter to be successful in life. Jing-Mei believed that her mother’s
constant tests were for her to change into some type of prodigy that will make the family look
honorable. After all the tests left her mother with a “disappointed face”, “something inside of
[her] began to die” (Tan 144). She hated the tests because she was never making her mother
proud, so instead of following her mother’s wants, she promised herself she “won’t be what
[she’s] not” (Tan 144). At the start of the piano lessons, she felt like she’d “been sent to hell”, she
didn’t want her mother to win in their competition for control (Tan 146). Suyuan’s reasoning for
the lessons is for Jing-Mei to be her best self, trying to set her up for a successful life. When
Jing-Mei decided to not try at her lessons, she believed she was staying herself, but she was just
setting herself up for failure. She did not “believe [she] could be anything [she] wanted to be”,
only herself (Tan 154). The piano lessons was not a competition for control over Jing-Mei, but a
means for her to be successful. Suyuan believed that the piano was going to bring her daughter
success, but since Jing-Mei saw it as control, she couldn’t see that her mother was trying to help
her.

3. There are SEVEN allusions throughout the chapter! Find, define, and briefly explain the
significance at least FIVE of them--this may take some research on your part!
A. Peter Pan: When describing her new appearance due to a shorter haircut, jing-mei remarks
that she looks like Peter Pan. Peter Pan is a Disney fictional character that is well-known for his
giddy and mischievous demeanor, ability to fly away, and his everlasting wish to never grow up.
Despite being of Chinese descent and not looking like him at all, Jing-Mei compares herself to
him in an attempt to fit in with American culture; furthermore, this odd comparison also
delineates her boredom with intellectual activities as well as her free-spirited nature.

B. Shirley Temple: Due to her high desire for her daughter to be an adorable child actor, Suyuan
wants her daughter to “could be a “Chinese Shirley Temple” (141-142). Shirly Temple was a
world-renowned child actress during the 1930s that was very popular for musical abilities,
adorable appearance, and wholesome trademark. The infliction of the stress to appear as her
alludes to Suyuan’s version of the American dream-to seemingly blend into American culture
while obtaining success for both her and her daughter.

C. The Ed Sullivan Show: When imagining her piano debut in front of a live audience, Jing-Mei
compares it to the Ed Sullivan Show (145). The Ed Sullivan Show was a popular American TV
show watched by millions of US citizens for its live performances of musical artists such as The
Beatles, Elvis Presley, and The Beach Boys. Jing-Mei alludes to this broadcast show because
despite her poor musical talent, has a high enough confidence to believe she is as good as these
acts; furthermore, it also reveals her deeper desire for praise and recognition from others.
D. Reader’s Digest: When describing her mother’s persistence to create success for her daughter,
Jing-Mei remarks that she often searches in Reader’s Digest for stories of child prodigies (143).
Reader’s Digest is an American published magazine that is popular for its inspirational stories
and their creative ideas. The allusion to this magazine further stresses her mother’s desperate
search and longing for her daughter to possess a special talent.

E. Cinderella: When detailing the beginning of her prodigy training, Jing-mei describes that she
felt as if she were “Chinderlla stepping from her pumpkin carriage with sparkly cartoon music
filling the air” (142). Cinderella is a fictional Disney princess who grows up a poor maid,
however, she receives one chance to attend the lavish ball through her fairy godmother’s wishes.
Jing-Mei alludes to this princess using mystical imagery in order to describe the superfluous
images she put on in an attempt to transform into a child prodigy. Furthermore, this instance is
implemented in order to further contrast the forthcoming agitation and misery Jing-Mei feels due
to her mother’s antics.

4. Discuss the overall meaning of the chapter title, Two Kinds, and how it generates a main idea
for the reader. Select the two best quotes from the chapter in support of your response.
Amy Tan utilizes the chapter title, Two Kinds, to portray the vastly contrasting ideals and beliefs
that parents and their children possess. As June grows into early adolescence, her mother
becomes captivated with the idea of having her daughter being a prominent child prodigy. She
constantly forces June to try different hobbies in order to decipher what she would succeed in; in
contrast, June soon realizes that she will never meet her mother’s expectations and fulfill her
dreams despite all the effort they both put forth. Furthermore, her mother distinctly expressed
that there are only “two kinds of daughters”, one is obedient while the other is independent
(153). Tan incorporates this concept to portray how many first generation children are forced to
fit into their parent’s ideals and successful goals, even if they despite it. After years of her piano
recital, June plays the songs a “few times'' and realizes that songs she played were “two halves of
the same song” (156). Tan correlates the ideas of these two songs to represent the different and
tumultuous relationships amongst mothers and their daughters. The two different songs are the
illustration of June’ two attitudes; at first she was a “Pleading Child” due to her spiteful behavior
but later became a “Perfectly Contented” after coming to the realization that her mother has only
good intentions (156). In the end of the chapter, June comes to the conclusion that her
disagreement is natural along with accepting the fact that there will always be various beliefs and
ideas between parents and their children, which is what identifies them as two kinds of
individuals.

5. In a formal statement, identify a main theme of the chapter, providing two direct quotes and
brief analysis in support of your statement. *It must be different from your response to question
four!
In the brilliant novel, The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan illustrates how the strong desire for Chinese
Immigrants to experience the success of the American dream, however, and unreachable reality
of the American Dream cannot be understood by immigrant’s children; which leads to a
disconnect between parent and child. Jing-Mei did not understand that her mother only wanted
the best for her. Suyuan pushed her daughter for success, because she didn’t have the same
opportunities, and she dedicated her life for her daughter to be in America. This disconnect
caused Jing-Mei to feel trapped within her mother’s expectations; she felt this way because she
did not understand her mother’s true intentions.

Quotes:
“My mother believed you could be anything you wanted to be in America” (141).
“At first my mother thought I could be a Chinese Shirley Temple” (141).
“I failed her so many times each time asserting my own will, my right to fall short of
expectations” (154)
“I dropped out of college” (154)
“I did not believe I could be anything I wanted to be. I could only be me” (154).

6. Make a pertinent connection to the opening vignette (the one with the young daughter on the
bicycle) with at least three of the four chapters in this section. These examples can be simply
paraphrased, though the connections must be clearly apparent.
A. In chapter the Two Kinds, Jing-Mei parallels the daughter who didn’t want to listen to her
mother. She did not understand that her mother had the best intentions for her with the piano
lessons, so instead of listening to her instructions, she fell. Jing-Mei believed all her problems
stemmed from her mother, this led her to defy anything her mother wanted. She had
disconnected from her mother and could understand exactly why she wanted her to be
successful.

B. In the chapter Rules of the Game, Waverly Jong details the emergence of her masterful skills
at chess as well as her adjustment to her mother’s sudden attention and prideful nature. As she
shops in the grocery store with her mother, Lindo boastfully brags to strangers about her
daughter’s talent, which embarrasses Waverly. After expressing her annoyance of her mother’s
behavior, Lindo simply remains quiet and acts passive aggressive. As seen through her irritability
with her mother’s behavior, Waverly does not fully understand that her mother incessantly
speaking about her daughter’s achievements is her way of showing her appreciation for her
daughter. Moreover, it depicts how she fails to recognize that being prideful about one’s
accomplishments is a typical aspect of Chinese culture; in contrast, in American culture, which
Waverly has been deeply subject to, a boastful nature is viewed as egotistical and immoral.
Similarly, Lindo Jong’s resistance to speak to her daughter demonstrates miscommunication
between two generations, which results in a lack of comprehension between the two. To further
elaborate, this uneasy instance directly relates to the opening vignette of the chapter, “The
Twenty-Six Malignant Gates”, in which a stubborn mothers wishes for her daughter to heed her
advice, however, she refuses to explain her reasoning.

C. In the chapter The Voice from the Wall, Lena St. Clair expresses her longing to communicate
with her distressed mother after she experiences a traumatic stillbirth. Lena describes the
tumultuous relationship between her two neighbors, a mother and daughter; fortunately, the
daughter is able to connect with her mother and rebuild their relationship through empathy.
Lena’s anecdote, expresses her deep desire to connect with her mother, who swore herself to
silence and has put herself into solitude. Her mother’s behavior relates to that of the mother in
The Twenty Six Malignant Gates, since she is not vocal about her emotional distress and overall
mental health; consequently, this causes a lack of understanding and connection between the two
women.