Joy Luck Club Quotes

World Connection Question:
How does parental expectations and pressure affect children in society?

These types of expectations and pressure put into children in our society for many reason such as getting good grades and doing well at school. In Joy Luck Club June (Jing-Mei Woo) deals with the pressure in a more distinct fashion compared to the children in our society today, as she rebels from her mother’s expectations. The expectations that are set high apply pressure to kids in society and Jing. This affects everyone in their own ways, as some people quit after a while like Jing, and some try to keep up with the expectations and goals. June doesn’t try to keep up with her mother’s expectations and expresses herself to her mom in a frustrated manner.

Lindo Jong helps define what the true inner, mental strength truly is as she is forced into a terrible marriage. She accepts her fate, and in the process learns to stay strong mentally as she tries getting out of the marriage. With her inner strength from within her eventually overcomes the marriage and comes out strong mentally.

Quote: “I was like a blind person walking to my fate. But I was no longer scared.” (Page 59)

Open-Ended Question:
Should Jing-Mei have told her half sisters from before of her mother’s death, instead of telling them later?

I believe that Jing-Mei should have told the truth from before, instead of telling them later. For, this proves to Jing’s half sister’s unnecessary hope of seeing their mother again. If Jing would have told them earlier it would have been less heartbreaking, although it didn’t necessary mess up their joyful reunion; it might have psychologically affected her half sisters more than it would have done if they found out earlier.

Quote: “ If only, I think, if only my mother had lived enough to be one walking toward them.”

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