The Joy Luck Club
by Amy Tan
Themes as Seen in The Joy Luck Club
Here, you can explore a variety of themes present in The Great Gatsby. As you browse, think of examples from the text where each theme may reveal itself!
The Challenges of Cultural Translation
Throughout The Joy Luck Club, the various narrators meditate on their inability to translate concepts and sentiments from one culture to another. The incomplete cultural understanding of both the mothers and the daughters owes to their incomplete knowledge of language.
The Power of Storytelling
Because the barriers between the Chinese and the American cultures are exacerbated by imperfect translation of language, the mothers use storytelling to circumvent these barriers and communicate with their daughters. The stories they tell are often educational, warning against certain mistakes or giving advice based on past successes.
The Problem of Immigrant Identity
At some point in the novel, each of the major characters expresses anxiety over her inability to reconcile her Chinese heritage with her American surroundings.
Thematic Response:
Considering the themes explored above, write a response (1-2 paragraphs) answering the following question:
What do you think is the predominant theme of The Joy Luck Club? That is, what do you think is the primary message of this novel? Be sure to include specific evidence from the text to support your claim.
(You may write about a theme not listed above!)