Chapter Sixteen: A Pair of Tickets--> Jing-mei Woo Term--> Theme

Queen Mother of the Western Skies

In the final chapter of the story, Jing-mei and her father are set to fly to China. She thinks about the events that led to their journey. She did not wish to deceive her stepsisters and was trying to think how their first meeting would go. Canning and Jing-mei first land to greet Canning's aunt and some other family members. They all stayed in a hotel in communist China. Her father told his aunt of his wife's story, and Jing-mei awoke to here it. She learned her mother wrote for years to her friends in China to look for her babies, but no one had found them til now. After Canning and Jing-mei said goodbye to their family. They went to the airport and flew to Shanghai. When she got off the plane, her sisters recognized her instantly. They embraced each other in a hug, and Canning took a photo of the three of them. In the picture they could see the reflection of their mother.
"If only, I think, if only my mother had lived long enough to be the one walking toward them. I am so nervous I cannot even feel my feet" (287). The emotion of seeing her long lost family members was getting to her before she met them. It was great hope that they would love her and that they would get along. Its hard to know what to expect and in that situation I think anyone would be nervous.
"And although we don't speak, I know we all see it: Together we look like our mother. Her same eyes, her same mouth, open in surprise to see, at last, her long-cherished wish" (288). The last sentence in the book provides the theme of the story. In the end, one can make there wishes come true.

Chapter Fifteen: Double Face--> Lindo Jong Term--> Compund Sentence

Queen Mother of the Western Skies

Lindo talks about how Waverly plans to go with her husband, Rich, on a honeymoon to China. Lindo plans to go with them. Before the wedding Lindo and Waverly go to see Mr. Rory, a hairstylist. Mr. Rory points out the similarity between Lindo and Waverly. This causes Lindo to remember how she and her mother looked alike. Lindo talks about how when she first came to America she worked in a fortune cookie shop. This is were she met An-mei who introduced her to her husband, Tin Jong. While pregnant with Waverly Lindo bumped her nose and it became crooked. Lindo noticed that Waverly's nose is also crooked and she suggests cosmetic surgery. Waverly says she likes her nose for it makes her look devious. The following quote is Waverly's definition of devious.
"'We mean what we say, but our intentions are different'" (266). This sentence is a compound sentence because it is made up of two independent clauses combined with a coordinating conjunction. The quote describes the title of the chapter: double face. Lindo went back to China and dressed as she had when she was there, but now she knew she was American.

Chapter Fourteen: Waiting Between the Trees--> Ying-ying St. Clair Term--> Figurative Language

Queen Mother of the Western Skies

Ying-ying recalls her first marriage. She married into what was an arranged marriage, and she learned to love the man and lived to please him. She conceived a baby which she knew would be a boy. However, several months into the pregnancy the man left her and aborted the unborn son. She later explains that she was born in the year of the Tiger. Many children died during that year, but she survived. She says the Tiger has two way: gold side leaps with its fierce heart and the black stands still with cunning.

She also mentions two thoughts. "But thoughts are of two kinds. Some are seeds that are planted when you are born, placed there by your father and mother and their ancestors before them. And some thoughts are planted by others" (245). This is also said to be true for one's personality. They are born with a personality, but they are effected by the people they grow up around. Ying-ying felt her first marriage caused her to lack the spirit of the Tiger and she believes Lena lacks the spirit too, so she wishes to change.

" But when she was born, she sprang from me like a slippery fish, and has been swimming away ever since" (242). This quote provides figurative language. The simile and imagery within the sentence provide the reader with a picture and can ultimately  help the reader better understand what the author is trying to portray.

Chapter Thirteen: Magpies--> An-mei Hsu Term--> Setting

Queen Mother of the Western Skies

"This was a pond in our courtyard and I often poked a stick in the still water to make the turtle swim out from underneath the rocks" (216). The setting of this narrative is at the pond  in the courtyard where the turtle lives. An-mei's mother speaks of the turtle and how the turtle feeds on their thoughts, and that she once cried into the pond, and the trutle ate her tears then opened its mouth and poured out seven eggs. These eggs produced magpies that laughed in her face.
Her mother wants to take An-mei with her to live together, but the uncle does not wish for her to go. An-mei's mother gives her the option to come and she goes with her, but they must leave her brother behind. An-mei now lived in a giant house with her mother, the other wives, their children, and Wu Tsing. An-mei is told her mother's story by Yan Chang. She realizes so much more about her mother's life now that she has heard the story. Her mother commits suicide two days before the Lunar New Year; An-mei took the necklace Second Wife had given her and crushed it infront of her.
First Wife had two daughter. "And yet she could only see her two daughters, two spinsters beyond the marriageable age; they were atleast twenty-five" (232). The marrying age for women in the past was a lot younger than today's society, because it was belief that women were more fertile in their younger years. It is strange to look at the age difference for married people back then and today.

Chapter Twelve: Best Quality--> Jing-mei Woo Term--> Onomatopoeia

American Translation

June tells of last year's Chinese New Year. She talks about how her and her mother went to the store and bought eleven crabs, one with a broken leg, and how the neighbors and their cat annoyed her mother. Suyuan prepares the food for her family and the Jong's. The guests took all of the best crabs until there were two left; Suyuan received the one with the broken leg, smelled it, and threw it away. She gave Jing-mei the jade pendant that was her life importance. She has not taken off the necklace since her mother died.

June is now cooking for her father. "My father hasn't eaten well since my mother died" (209). She fixed her father's favorite dish. The grief of June's father has caused him not to eat well, so she is trying to help him by helping him remain healthy.

"Above me, I hear the old pipes shake into action with a thunk!" The word thunk is an onomatopoeia. It is not a true word but the way one says it suggests its imitation of the sound.

June also finds the neighbors cat in the window and is relieved that the cat had not previously disappeared because her mother had killed it.

Chapter Eleven: Without Wood--> Rose Hsu Jordan

American Translation

"According to my mother, Old Mr. Chou was the guardian of a door that opened into dreams" (186). Rose tells that she used to always listen to her mother and of how Old Mr. Chou would take her to scary places. When she fell asleep, she had nightmares, but her sisters would have pleasant dreams. Rose had found the divorce papers and a ten thousand dollar check left by Ted in the mailbox. She didn't know what to do. She was basically unconscious for three days because she took sleeping pills. Ted calls her and she has him come to the house to pick up the papers, but she gives him the papers unsigned because she has decided that she does not wish to move.

Chapter Ten: Four Directions--> Waverly Jong Term--> Simple Sentence

American Translation

"Rich and I have decided to postpone our wedding"(184). This sentence is a simple sentence, because there is only one independant clause.

Waverly asks her mother to go out to eat with her so she can tell her she is engaged to Rich. She didn't know how to tell her. Waverly continues her story of her chess playing days. Waverly and her mother never quite saw eye to eye, and one day Waverly decided to take a break from playing chess. She was suprised when her mom didn't scold her for doing so and was not upset; instead Waverly was upset because the boy who had won the tournament she had beaten twice before. She decided to play chess again but she occasionally won and lost; she gave up chess entirely at age fourteen. Waverly then takes her mother to her house and shows her that all of Rich's stuff is at the house, but she still thinks that Lindo has not figured out what Waverly is trying to tell her. Waverly bring rich to dinner but that did not go well. "But in the brief instant that I peered over the barriers I could finally see what was really there: an old woman, a wok for her armor, a knitting needle for her sword, getting a little crabby as she waited patiently for her daughter to invite her in" (183-184). This passage occurs when Waverly decides she must tell her mother and goes to her home to find Lindo asleep, but her mother had already known. They then planned their honeymoon for October. The important thing was that Waverly could finally truly see her mother through all the barriers they had built.

Chapter Nine: Rice Husband-->Lena St. Clair Term--> Antithesis

American Translation

"I had stopped eating, not because of Arnold, whom I had long forgotten, but to be fashionably anorexic like all the other thirteen-year-old girls who were dieting and finding other ways to suffer as teenagers" (153).
People try to fit in; whether that means starving yourself, playing sports, or doing drugs, if it makes the person "cool" than its alright to do it. There were struggles in the past as well as today. This passage describes the thought process of most teenage girls though.
In this chapter, Lena discusses how her mother always seemed to know if something bad was going to happen, and she wondered if her mother was going to have an insight about her and her husband. Her mother told her when she was younger her mother told her that because she left rice in her bowl her future husband will have a pock mark for every rice she didn't eat. The boy she thought her mother was speaking of dies at age seventeen when Lena was starving herself, and she thought she caused his death. Ever since Harold and Lena met they always split what they had. They kept close track on what they spent. Lena worked for Harold's archetechtural firm, but he refused to promote her. They split the bill to make each other equal, but Lena realized they were not truly equal.
"And I remember wondering why it was that eating something good could make me feel so terrible, while vomitting something so terrible could make me feel so good" (154). The antithesis describes how something good may not always be good, and something bad may not always be bad. Though it doesn't make perfect sense, one can see the circumstances in which it would apply.

Chapter Eight: Two Kinds--> Jing-mei Woo Term-->Absolute

The Twenty-Six Malignant Gates

"'You can be best anything'" (132).

June's mother told her that she could be anything she wanted to be. She could be the best at anything she wanted to be. This absolute provided June with no limitations.

June's cousin Waverly was the prodigy for chess, but June had not found her niche yet. Her mother at first thought she should star on television, but that idea fell through. She then tried to make June become a genius by testing her, but then they decided on the piano. June's piano instructor was deaf so he could not tell that she was playing the wrong notes. She ended up playing in the talent show and everyone from the Joy Luck Club was there. However, she had not truly memorized the piece and played the piece poorly embarrassing herself and her mother.

"At first my mother thought I could be a Chinese Shirley Temple" (132).

A lot of parents wish for their children to succeed and to be great at something. Some parents want their child to be famous; others wish for their child to be a genius and have a good family. Some parents want to be able to brag that their children are better than someone else's. However, some parents don't realize how their children don't want to be someone everyone knows; they just want to be who they are. I think this still occurs in families today.

Chapter Seven: Half and Half--> Rose Hsu Jordan Term--> Rhetorical Question

The Twenty-Six Malignant Gates

Rose is debating how she will break the news to her mother that her and Ted are getting a divorce. She recalls when she first met Ted and they began dating. She remembers that neither of their mother's approved, but they became inseparable. Ted always made the decisions. After they were married, Ted lost a malpractice lawsuit and lost his confidence in himself, so he started pushing Rose to make decisions. She feels that she can no longer win with Ted. She then tells the story of how her mother lost her faith. When her family went on vacation she was put in charge of watching her younger brothers. When two of her brothers are fighting she is told to break them up and takes her eye off Bing. Bing then is lost in the sea and was never to be found.

"On the page before the New Testament begins, there's a section called 'Deaths,' and that's where she wrote 'Bing Hsu' lightly, in erasable pencil" (131).
When someone dies, especially a child or a sibling, its hard to realize that they are truly gone. An-mei writing her sons name in erasable pencil symbolizes that when someone passes away we don't want to think of them as being permanently gone. We hope that they will remain in our lives.

"So what can you do to stop yourself from tilting and falling over again" (121)?
This question is a rhetorical question because it does not require a response, nor is there a response in the book. This particular quote refers to her feelings about her divorce and how she is going to be able to overcome what has happened.

Chapter Six: The Voice from the Wall--> Lena St. Clair

The Twenty-Six Malignant Gates

Lena tells that her mother tells of scary events from the past, but she has never truly come around to talking about her past life in China, before she came to America. Lena has her mother's eyes. When Lena's father received a promotion they moved into an apartment complex in San Francisco. The apartments were on top of a steep hill. Ying-ying was continually rearranging furniture claiming the house was not balanced. Ying-ying was pregnant, but the baby boy died shortly after birth because of medical complications. She claimed it was because she killed a baby earlier in her life.
Lena would also hear noises through the wall in her room. She imagined that her neighbor was being murdered or severely beaten, but every time she saw Teresa there was never a mark on her. One day Teresa's mom kicked her out of the room, so Teresa climbed up the fire escape and surprised her mother. Lena then hear sounds of love and joy.
"So with the sweep of a pen, my mother lost her name and became a Dragon instead of a Tiger" (104).
This passage is an example of the Chinese traditions and customs included within the book. The Dragon and Tiger are part of the Chinese zodiac, and the people believe that the animal corresponding with the year in which they were born helps to form their personality and who they are. I find it intriguing to find out about other countries customs.

Chapter Five: Rules of the Game--> Waverly Jong Term--> Idiom

The Twenty-Six Malignant Gates

At church the Jong's received gifts that were donated by the members of another church. The children picked from the bag and Waverly's brother, Vincent, received a chess set. Waverly convinced her brothers to let her play by using two lifesavers to take the place of the missing pieces and the winner got to eat both lifesavers. Waverly learned the power of each piece and learned that she must see the invisible traps that she must avoid and to set invisible traps that her opponent may run into. When her brothers lost interest she began playing with Lau Po. He taught her many new strategies. She began playing in tournaments and became a national champion. Her mother took much pride in her daughter's accomplishments, but Waverly did not appreciate her bragging.

"'Why do you have to use me to show off? If you want to show off, then why don't you learn to play chess?'" (99)

Lindo liked to tell everyone who her daughter was. She had something to brag about at the meetings of the Joy Luck Club. She was a prodigy; and she got publicity. However, Lindo was offended that her daughter would say such a thing. Waverly loved winning and she was good at winning chess matches. Lindo loved that she had a daughter she could brag about.

"'Bite back your tongue,' scolded my mother..." (89)

"Bite your tongue" is an idiom that refers to refraining from speaking because it is better to say nothing at all. In the context, Lindo Jong, Waverly's mother, is telling her to stop screaming and crying, so the phrase can be taken as meaning to stop screaming, talking, or crying.

Chapter Four: The Moon Lady--> Ying-ying St. Clair Term--> Dialogue

Feathers From a Thousand Li Away

Ying-ying was taken to the Moon Festival with her family. She was on a boat and she was told that she would see the Moon Lady. When fireworks started going off, she was startled and fell overboard. A fishermen caught her in his net and took her to shore where he figured her family would find her eventually. When she was waiting to be found there was a play going on about the Moon Lady and she made her wish to be found. 

"A face so tired that she wearily pulled of her hair, her long gown fell from her shoulders. And as the secret wish fell from my lips, the Moon Lady looked at me and became a man" (82).

This passage reminds me of little children being told that Santa Clause is not real. The disappointment and the shock the child feels is heartbreaking. All the years they believed have been wasted. They wished for him to be true and that he'd bring them presents if they were good, but all of the beliefs were shot down. Ying-ying's wish had become a selfish desire.

"'Who is the Moon Lady?'

'Chang-o. She lives on the moon and today is the only day you can see her and have a secret wish fulfilled.'

'What is a secret wish?'

'It is what you want but cannot ask,' said Amah.

'Why can't I ask?'

'This is because...because if you ask it...it is no longer a wish but a selfish desire,' said Amah" (70).

Within the dialogue between Amah and Ying-ying, Amah explains the point of the Moon Festival and who the Moon Lady is. Ying-ying is a very curious child and Amah does not appreciate all of her questions.

Chapter Three: The Red Candle--> Lindo Jong Term--> Symbol

Feathers From a Thousand Li Away

Lindo Jong had an arranged marriage, and was promised to marry Tyan-yu when she was two. Her mother referred to her as the child of Huang Taitai because she knew that Lindo would not be hers forever. When Lindo's home was flooded and her family was forced to move, she moved in with Tyan-yu. She then married him at the age of sixteen. Tyan-yu had Lindo sleep on the sofa for a while, but she was later able to sleep with him in the bed. However, he never touched her. Taitai blamed Lindo for not being able to bear children and even strapped her to the bed saying that this will help her to be fertile. Taitai did not realize Tyan-yu would not have relations with Lindo, and Lindo would never tell Taitai this fact. Lindo then pretended to have a dream in which the ancestors told her that the servant girl was carrying Tyan-yu's child. Taitai finally believed the story and the marriage between Tyan-yu and Lindo was annuled.

"I promised not to forget myself" (66).

It was hard in the past to express ones true self. People were forced into marriages with people they did not truely love, but marriage wasn't about love then. It was more about the money and the higher status one received in society. It was important then not to forget oneself, but it is just as important in society today. There are so many options and so many pressures that is important to stay true to oneself. It is great advice to stay true to who you are, but it is better to promise yourself that you will always remember who you are.

"My throat filled with so much hope that it finally burst and blew out my husband's end of the candle" (60).
This quote provides a symbol within the story. The candle blowing out symbolized a failure in the marriage. Due to the fact that the candle did not burn continuously, it is said that the marriage could be broken.

Chapter Two: Scar--> An-mei Hsu Term--> Narrative

Feathers From a Thousand Li Away

In this chapter An-mei tells of the how she lives with her grandmother. Her mother became the third concubine of a rich man and her grandmother was ashamed of her daughter so she forbid An-mei and her brother to speak their mother's name. An-mei did not remember her mother, but when Popo, her grandmother, became ill her mother came to visit. An-mei then remembers of a time when she was four and her mother came begging for her but An-mei spilled hot soup all over her neck when reaching for her mother. This event caused a scar on her neck.

"'Your dying clothes are very plain. They are not fancy, because you are still a child. If you die, you will have a short life and you will still owe your family a debt. Your funeral will be very small. Our mourning time for you will be very short'" (47).

The previous quote was said by Popo when taking care of An-mei after the incident with the soup. I think these words provide the feeling that a patient must feel when being told they only have so long to live. This quote also shows how some people are unappreciative of the people they have in their lives.

"I was four years old. My chin was just above the dinner table, and i could see my baby brother sitting on Popo's lap, crying with an angry face. I could hear voices praising a steaming dark soup brought to the table, voices murmuring politely, 'Ching! Ching!'-Please, eat!" (46)

This quote is the opening paragraph in one of the narratives within the book. This book has many individual narratives that connect throughout the book. This specific story tell of the memory of the event in which An-mei received her scar from the soup.

Chapter One: The Joy Luck Club --> Jing-mei Woo Term--> Fantasy

Feathers From a Thousand Li Away

The Joy Luck Club was founded by Suyuan Woo, who passed away two months ago. Now Suyuan's husband, Canning wishes for Jing-mei to take her mother's place in the Joy Luck Club. When Suyuan was alive, she told June (Jing-mei's American name) the story of how she founded the Joy Luck Club and her journey through China. Her mother had twin daughters and she wished to find them because she had to leave them behind during the war. Now that she has died, June's aunts from the Joy Luck Club have provided her with the money to go find her sisters.

Her mother said in her story, "'Can you imagine how it is, to want to be neither inside or outside, to want to be nowhere and disappear?'" (22)

This quote makes me think if this is how people who are depressed feel, or if the feeling is what causes the depression. If someone does not want to be inside or outside, where do they go? There is no in between and its not possible to disappear. How does someone survive this feeling? I think this quote refers to people of today just as much as it refers to people of the past. Feelings throughout history have not changed, just the events that cause them.

"'I dreamed about Kweilin before I ever saw it,' my mother began, speaking Chinese. 'I dreamed of jagged peaks lining a curving river, with magic moss greening the banks. At the tops of those peaks were white mists.'" (21)

Jing-mei's mother, Suyuan, had always pictured the land of Kweilin before she ever went there. Her dreams were her fantasy. She knew of the place named Kweilin, but she had not seen the place with her own eyes to know the true beauty of the place. The beauty of Kweilin was her fantasy, as well as many other people of China because they dreamed of the same place.