Amy Tans The Joy Luck Club :: Essays Papers

Joy Luck Club Anaylsis In the movie "Joy Luck Club," four women are introduced. Their lives are described, their mother's lives are described, and their grandmother's. This movie shows three generations of Chinese women and how each of their lives have progressed and changed. Through every generation, there is a constant underlying tension between mother and daughter. The pressure that a mother applies to her daughter is described. In one incident the mom forced her daughter to play the piano. The daughter didn't even like playing the piano. However, the mother forced her daughter to practice daily, and perform in talent shows. When the daughter would complain, the mom would reply by saying, "don't be disobedient." It's sad when a mother forces their child to participate in something that the child doesn't feel in their heart. However, pressures like this aren't just applied by Chinese mothers. In America it is so common to see parents (mom and dad) forcing their child to do something against their will. My best friend, Rachel, is half black and half white. She is really tall and an incredible basketball player. Sadly she is so sick of playing basketball. Her mom forces her to practice everyday, attend basketball camps, play for the school team and a recreational team. Rachel's mom is making Rachel play basketball in college. Althou gh Rachel is amazing on the court, she doesn't like it. Similar to the scene in the "Joy Luck Club," both mothers are pressuring their daughters to do something that they have no desire to. This creates major tension between mother and daughter. Sadly, it seems that parents don't realize the pressure they apply. In the mean time their children are growing to hate the particular activity and dislike their parents. Another scene where tension between mother and daughter is shown is when the daughter breaks down and begins to cry because of not feeling accepted by her mother. The daughter complains that through her entire life, she has never met her mom's standards. Anything that she does or did, was inadequate and always in need of improvement. The decisions she makes in her life can never be perfect. The man she marries, the job she takes and anything else never satisfies her mom.