The Joy Luck Club. An essay comparing and contrasting the differences of American and Chinese culture through the book by Amy Tan.

The Joy Luck Club

"I wanted my children to have the best combination: American circumstances and Chinese character. How could I know these two things do not mix?"(Pg 289) Living in a cultural mish mash, it is very common to meet someone who will introduce themselves as a something - Canadian. In the book, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, she writes about a group of four Chinese families who immigrate to the States, taking advantage of "The Better Life". As said by Jing-Mei, "My mother believed you could be anything you wanted to be in America." (Pg 141), her mother was not the only one who thought this. Exploring the cultural differences of China and the USA, Tan creates an accurate account of four women, growing up as first generation Americans, using the stories of their parents to show the contrasts. Growing up as a first generation Chinese-Canadian, I can't say that the book has taught me that much, but it has made me think more about my own heritage and the lessons I have learned from being able to experience the two different cultures first hand.

The Joy Luck Club (film)

The Joy Luck Club

Waverly, Pennsylvania

I don't remember much from when I was young, but there have been some memories that have stuck with me through the ages. One of the earliest memories I have from my childhood would be my aunt pinching my nose and saying to me "Pinch your nose Louise! It's too little! Girls with nice, longer noses are meant to marry rich!" This is much like what Lindo Jong's mother told her when she was young, "You have my nose. The hole is not too big, so your money will not be running out." (pg 292) I didn't grow up in a Chinese community, like Waverly did, "We lived on Waverly Place,