Mothers And Daughters In Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club

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In The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, a group of mothers and their daughters share their stories and experiences as they adapt from life in China to life in America. “Best Quality” is a story about Jing Mei Woo and her mother Suyan who have a relationship that is difficult but also strong. Suyan gives Jing Mei a jade necklace that is meant to represent her “life’s importance” (Tan 197). The imperfect groves and details of the green necklace could show Jing Mei that the ups and downs of her life and her relationship with her mother will ultimately help her learn about herself and other. This piece of jewelry was not ideal for Jing Mei. To her, it was, “too large, too green, too garishly ornate” (197). She had a very critical attitude towards something that was meant to be meaningful and special. Throughout her whole life, she is compared to others and criticized (by her mother, friends, and …show more content…

Throughout The Joy Luck Club, mothers hand down jewelry to their daughters to represent their commitment to their families. In “The Red Candle” Lindo Jong is being married off and sent to live with her future husband and his family. Her mother acts serious as she puts a red jade necklace around her neck. She tells her to obey her family and act grateful for this opportunity. Lindo and Jing Mei were both given jade necklaces to represent new beginnings. Lindo was moving away, and Jing Mei’s mother knew that she would be dying soon. Jing Mei also was starting the process of finding herself and changing, as Suyan hinted at many times. In Chinese culture, jewelry seems to be given as a gift but always with a deeper meaning and representation. The small green pendant given to Jing Mei from Suyan carries the weight of their family and will help Jing Mei become a better person as she finds her own path through

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