Comparing The Joy Luck Club And This Cancer Survivor Will Inspire You

At some point in life, all individuals must face undesirable and challenging situations, but what matters is how one deals with these difficulties. It takes a strong person to overcome challenges and take control of their destiny. The family drama, The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan, and the article, “This Cancer Survivor Will Inspire You”, by Keri Anteberry, tell poignant stories of how two individuals overcome fate, to choose their destiny. Both works connect on a deeper level by emphasizing the theme of controlling one’s destiny. Although choosing one’s destiny is an arduous task that requires determination, Tan depicts how Lindo Jong gains the courage to turn her life around. Lindo is forced into marriage with Tyan-yu Huang and moves in with the

Huangs at the age of twelve (Tan 47). When Lindo is forced to become an obedient and submissive wife, she loses her ability and courage to speak up. After four oppressive and demoralizing years, Lindo begins to lose hope of ever being happy again, until she recognizes her strength.

“I had on a beautiful red dress, but what I saw was even more valuable. I was strong. I had thoughts inside of me that no one could see, that no one could ever take away from me. I was like the wind” (Tan 53). Lindo regains her courage and devises a plan to escape her unjust marriage, ultimately changing her destiny. Lindo realizes that if she does not take control of her destiny, Huang Taitai would continue to dictate her life. Through Lindo’s brave actions, Tan cleverly portrays the theme of taking control of one’s destiny. The theme of taking control of one’s destiny is also present in the article, “This Cancer Survivor Will Inspire You”. Anteberry writes about her husband, Rob, who spent two long years battling cancer. He lost the ability to walk, talk, and was unable to care for himself for a long period of time. After enduring numerous treatments with no signs of improvement, Rob was told that he would only have one year left. “Instead of wallowing in self-pity or becoming hopeless he did the opposite. He started training and pushed his body to become a triathlete”, describes

Anteberry. Rob could not control getting cancer, but he could control his desire to fight and become an athlete. Both Rob and Lindo fight to overcome their fate. Although Rob and Lindo have no control over the adversaries they are faced with, they can control what they choose to do with their destiny in life. Although Lindo and Rob encounter fate in different ways, both works inspire individuals to recognize their ability to control and change their destiny.