The Structural Significance of Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club

The one factor that holds each of the mothers and daughters together is the common thread they share in their ancestral background. Although the mothers may have a different attachment to this personal history than their daughters, it is nonetheless the tie that binds. Thus, Tan begins each of the sections of her work with a Chinese parable. Aside from being an

The parables are only the tip of the metaphorical iceberg. English professor and author, E.D. Huntley, makes an interesting observation when she points out that the daughters’ stories are contained within the two sections of the mothers’ tales; they are embraced as it were (44). Thus throughout all the insecurities, tragedies and turmoil described in each one of the accounts, this structural setup creates a feeling of closeness and protection which the mothers provide. In a way, it affirms the mothers’ stance; although they often seem to be doing nothing more than making their daughters’ feel inadequate – as is evident through the inner sections featuring the daughters’ stories – it is all merely an attempt to care for their children and protect them the best way they know how. Their stories, and their maternal efforts are, as Huntley puts it, “enclose” their daughters’ lives – for better or for worse. Thus, despite the inherent division and lack of connection with their daughters who “sprang from [them] like a slippery fish and [have] been swimming away ever since” Tan clearly intends to indicate that there is an inescapable common thread among them all (Tan 242).

Jing-mei’s reoccurrence throughout the novel is particularly intriguing. Her character is representative not only of the daughters’ point of view, but the mothers’ as well (Huntley 44). She speaks on behalf of her deceased mother, Suyuan, and subsequently her voice is the glue the holds all the scattered pieces of “family” together. Which is why her stories are located at the opening and closing of the novel. She begins at a time of turmoil and confusion; her mother is dead, and there is an empty space at the mah-jong table. This space has created a hole of sorts in the tradition of the Joy Luck Aunties; they already feel their old world ways slipping away from them, especially when they realize how fruitless it has been to try and bring their daughters into this world. Now with the death of Suyuan, their game – the last true piece of old China they have with them – has been put on the shelf. In truth, it is an appropriate opener to the novel in that it forces attempts among the characters at creating links where generational and cultural gaps currently lie. It gives a purpose to telling the stories of all the mothers and daughters – to explaining how the intricate relationships and interactions that now exist came to be. And because it is Jing-mei’s mother who dies, the use of her as a paradigm for the rest of the group is set up rather nicely (47). As was afore stated, Joy Luck Club begins at a tumultuous time, with Jing-Mei at the forefront. She has agreed to honor her mother’s memory and attend a meeting of the Joy Luck Club. She is included in the old world traditions, just as all the Joy Luck aunties wish their daughters would be. The novel co

Some topics in this essay:
ED Huntley, Joy Luck, Luck Club, Luck Aunties, Thousand Li, Western Skies, English” Huntley, joy luck, mothers daughters, luck club, joy luck club, , mah-jong table, travel china, china meet sisters, china meet, huntley 44, daughters’ lives, story story, travel china meet, joy luck aunties, daughters’ stories,