An-Mei's Mother

In the novel, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, An-Mei’s mother’s perseverance and fighter spirit makes her a strong female figure. Much like her own mother, An-Mei shares the same characteristics though her fierce perseverance to overcome her challenges. Emulating her grandmother, Rose also exhibits the same strength which is based upon her character development of sticking up for herself. At the start of the novel, the readers are inclined to believe that all three of these characters are weak and cowards. For example, An-Mei’s mother is bullied by her own family, An Mei is introduced as someone who “lacks wood” or a pushover, and Rose’s divorce caused by her inability to decide.The audience is led to perceive these women as pathetic and pitiful. However, as the novel progresses, …show more content…
Thus, when she was forced into a miserable life, the only thing on her mind was how to make her daughter’s life better. So when she ate the opium and, “ the poison broke into her own body, she whispered to [An-Mei] that she would rather kill her own weak spirit so she could give [An-Mei] a stronger one” (Tan 271). An-Mei’s mother endures tremendous suffering but waits for the opportunity to commit suicide on New year’s to ensure that An-Mei’s life will improve. Her determination to survive in this cruel situation for as long as she could demonstrates great persistence, and giving up her own life to better An-mei’s is an incredible act of selflessness on her part. All of these actions denote an inherently strong persona for An-Mei’s mother and these characteristics certainly were handed down to her daughter as well. An-mei shows the same unquestionable perseverance as her mother through her immigration journey to America and her search for Bing. All three of these characters through their perseverance, determination, and fighter spirit display the same characteristics of what it takes to be a strong