traditionalism and somber attitude. She thinks of herself as American and adopts the culture that surrounds her. The differences between mother and daughter make it hard for them to really communicate. Jing-Mei cannot understand the suffering her mother has endured; and Suyuan cannot understand the frivolity of Jing-Mei. When Suyuan finally tells her daughter about the twin daughters that she abandoned in China, Jing-Mei is completely shocked. .
The theme of lack of communication is developed throughout the novel. Each of the four mothers and .
daughters has difficulty really talking to and understanding one another. In addition, Amy Tan had the same problem with her mother, Daisy; their worlds were so different, it was difficult for them to really communicate. Like Suyuan, Daisy Tan also intentionally withholds information from her daughter. It is not until they are preparing to move to Switzerland that Daisy tells Amy that she has left three daughters behind in China. Amy is completely surprised at the news, just like Jing-Mei. In addition, Daisy has also suffered greatly in life, just like Suyuan, and Amy has trouble relating to her mother's past, just like Jing-Mei. .
Suffering is another key theme of the novel. The Joy Luck Club was first started in Kweilin, China, to keep the women from thinking about the horrors of war surrounding them. It is, in essence, a club formed out of suffering. When Suyuan starts the second club in San Francisco, the women she seeks as members have all endured suffering, just like she. As a result, there is an immediate bond between them, and a willingness to share with one another. .
The Joy Luck Club is very important to Suyuan. It is not surprising that after Suyuan's death, her husband asks Jing- Mei to take the place of her mother at the club. While attending the meetings, Jing-Mei learns many things about her mother and the other Chinese women. She also sees the closeness of the members.
