Search for Identity in Amy Tans The Joy Luck Club Essay...

nbsp;Search for Identity in The Joy Luck Clubnbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Imagine, a daughter not knowing her own mother! And then it occurs to me. They are frightened. In me, they see their own daughters, just as ignorant, just as unmindful of all truths and hopes they have brought to America. They see daughters who grow impatient when their mothers talk in Chinese, who think they are stupid when they explain things in fractured English. (Tan 40-41) Amy Tan frames The Joy Luck Club with Jing-mei Woos search for identity. When Jing-meis mothers friends tell Jing-mei that her sisters have at long last been found and insist that she tell her sisters about their mothers life, Jing-mei emotionally replies that she does not know her†¦show more content†¦By ignoring their mothers, these daughters do not see the similarities between themselves and their mothers, for their mothers have also rejected Chinese traditions, particularly those that repress women. After witnessing her mothers tragic fate, An-Mei has come to America determined to raise her children to have choices. Lindos early arranged Chinese marriage has taught her to value America where nobody says you have to keep the circumstances somebody else gives you (254). Jing-meis mother believed you could be anything you wanted to be in America (132). Ying-ying belatedly realizes that her lifetime of keeping her mouth closed so selfish desires would not fall out (67) has m eant that she has lost herself. In all four cases, it is when the daughters recognize these similarities that they start to understand not only their mothers, but also themselves. Lena knows that she and Harold have marriage problems. However, it is Ying-yings irritating questions and determination to share her painful past with Lena, so that Lena will stand up for herself, that allows Lena to finally confront Harold. Like Ying-ying, An-mei has tried to teach her daughter Rose to stand up for herself. Roses inability to make choices indicates that she too has rebelled against her mothers ways. However, when Rose responds with her mothers phrase You mean you were doing monkey business with someone else? (194) to TedsShow MoreRelated Essay on Search for Identity in Amy Tans The Joy Luck Club1103 Words   |  5 PagesSearch for Identity in Joy Luck Club      Ã‚   Each person reaches a point in their life when they begin to search for their own, unique identity. In her novel, Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan follows Jing Mei on her search for her Chinese identity – an identity long neglected.    Four Chinese mothers have migrated to America. Each hope for their daughter’s success and pray that they will not experience the hardships faced in China. 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