Joy Luck Club

Kerry Feng

Ms. Ansolabehere

English 3H

Period 6

11 September 2013

A Daughter’s Confusion

Many mothers and daughters often do not understand each other and why they act in the ways they do. The “Rules of the Game” is an excerpt from The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, which details miscommunications between a mother, Lindo Jong, and her daughter, Waverly Jong. Lindo is boastful of Waverly, to the point where Lindo is haughty about it. Even with all her bragging, Lindo does love her daughter. She tries to help Waverly with her chess skills. However, Waverly does not think her mother is helping her and it invokes a sense of annoyance in Waverly. Thus, Lindo and Waverly Jong suffer from a communication barrier between them.

Lindo is excessively proud of Waverly. Waverly did not know how Lindo felt about her chess skills in the beginning. Waverly thinks her mother did not approve much of her playing chess, especially in tournaments. “I knew she would not let me play among strangers”(96). After a game Waverly states that she does not want play in the tournament, even though she wants to. To Waverly’s surprise, Lindo does let her play in a tournament. Lindo wants Waverly’s skills to further develop. Lindo is proud of Waverly, even to the point of her bragging to random strangers at the supermarket. “This is my daughter Wave-ly Jong, she said to whoever looked her way”(99). Waverly absolutely hates how her mother brags to people as if Lindo is taking Waverly’s hard work and credit as her own. Lindo’s bragging gives off a negative connotation but deep down, she is appreciative of Waverly’s talent.

Despite Lindo’s coarse remarks towards Waverly, Lindo tries to help her daughter in the methods she can. “Hmmmpmh”(98). Lindo would make those sounds after each move Waverly made while Waverly practiced. Although these sounds appear to be rude and sound disapproving, Lindo does this to help Waverly practice. These sounds could pressure and induce Waverly into...