Joy Luck Club Standards

Standards in Their New Lives In the novel The Joy Luck Club written by Amy Tan, four families of Chinese immigrants gather around a mahjong table. Jing-Mei Woo is to replace her mother’s seat at the table. After Jing-Mei’s mother passes away, it is her responsibility to take over the seat. Jealousy fills the group when comparing their daughter's abilities. Beauty is important to all of the daughters and their mothers. Superstition factors into their everyday lives controlling their behaviors and thoughts. Stepping in her mother’s footprints, Jing-Mei is following high standards with the lack of experience she displays. Jing-Mei is still viewed as a child although she is in her mid thirties. The ability to understand the languages of both their native language and English becomes a struggle between mother and daughter. The new responsibilities are endless for Jing-Mei as she is determined to resolve her mother’s stories. Jing-Mei takes care of her own tasks as well as her late mother’s. In The Joy Luck Club, Jing-Mei overcomes the standards set by society in her new life. Jing-Mei is still viewed as a child in the group of elders known as the Joy Luck Club. The respect is not yet given to Jing-Mei as she is younger and a second generation member of the group. …show more content…
After getting a haircut Jing-Mei’s mother says “You look like Negro Chinese” (Tan 133). This is said with disappointment in her daughter, Jing-Mei’s appearance. Jing-Mei was not as beautiful as her mother wanted her to be. Jing-Mei was compared to others with looks. Jing-Mei’s mother wants more out of Jing-Mei. The thought of being perfect ran over Jing-Mei’s mind “In all of my imaginings, I was filled with a sense that I would soon become perfect.” (Tan 133). Jing-Mei believes if she does become perfect her life would be more pleasant “My mother and father would adore me.” (Tan 133). Society places Jing-Mei in a standard of