The novel opens with a parable presented by a Chinese woman living in America. While in China she had purchased a “swan” from a vendor, who boasted that the animal was actually a duck

that had stretched itself out because of a strong desire to change. The woman bought the “swan” to take with her to America because it represented her hope for a bright future in her new

country. On landing in America, the immigration officials took the swan from the woman. She managed to save one of the swan’s feathers, which she hoped to give to a future daughter.

As she had hoped, the Chinese woman had a daughter, Jing-Mei Woo, who grew up in America and so learned to speak fluent English. Now the two of them are unable to really communicate, for the mother speaks little English, and the daughter does not know Chinese. Additionally, they cannot understand the each other’s lifestyle. The daughter resents her mother’s traditional Chinese ways, and the mother cannot understand why her daughter does not appreciate the suffering she has endured for her sake.

This opening parable depicts America as a land of opportunity, wh

Waverly’s mother was excessively proud of Waverly’s success. During Saturday shopping trips, Lindo paraded her daughter about like a living trophy. Waverly hated her mother’s outrageous pride and boasting. One day she became so frustrated that she ran away from her, hiding almost the entire day. When she finally returned home, her mother and the rest of her family ignored her, acting as if she did not exist. Waverly went to her room and imagined herself engaged in a life-sized game of chess, where she fought the invisible opponent - her mother. In truth, however, Lindo is not really her opponents. She is the one who has taught Waverly the “art of invisible strength,” a method of believing in oneself and succeeding in life.

Many factors have contributed to the madness of Lena’s mother. While she was a young girl in China, Ying-Ying was seduced by a man. Since she was pregnant, the man married her, but soon deserted her. When Ying-Ying lost the baby, she blamed it on herself. In an effort to erase her past, Ying-Ying comes to America as a war bride. Her husband, who speaks only English, changes her name to

In the midst her story, Lindo interrupts herself to complain about her own daughter. She has so little sense of duty that she does not even come to dinner as promised. Lindo cannot understand her daughter’s dishonorable behavior, for she sacrificed everything to honor her parents and keep their

successful at chess that she is featured in Life magazine. Lindo Jong is excessively proud of her daughter and takes credit for her success.

Some topics in this essay:
Moon Lady, Little An-Mei, Lady Lena, Christmas Waverly, Luck Club, Lindo Jong, Chinese Additionally, Lindo Jong’s, Jing- Mei, Reality Lena’s, joy luck, joy luck club, luck club, mother daughter, moon lady, lindo jong, an-mei’s mother, san francisco, chinese woman, club san, bing’s death, club san francisco, twenty-four carat gold, luck club san, italian mother daughter,