Joy Luck Club
Directions: Each section of The Joy Luck Club begins with an anecdote that symbolizes the main ideas that are to follow in the women’s stories. For each section, you will analyze the anecdotes by answering the questions below. You can refer to each section’s lessons/experiences to provide details that support your analysis.
Part I: Feathers from a Thousand Li Away:
a. In the space below, bullet point words/images/lines from the anecdote that stand out to you (it’s okay if you don’t know the significance behind it):
-duck
-America
-coke
-swan
-immigration
b. What do you think the duck represents? I think that the duck represents how effort can create desired results.
c. What hopes does the mother have for her daughter?
The mother hopes that the daughter will be independent, shameless and English speaking.
d. Why does the mother lose hope?
The mother loses hope because of the pain and effort it took losing the swan and dealing with attaining citizenship.
e. Why does she want to tell her daughter her message in perfect English?
She wants to convey her wish and show the pride in her growth.
f. How does this section tie into what the next section is about?
This section provides insight into the characterization of the mother and what the reader may learn about her in the upcoming section.
g. What do you think the main message of the anecdote was?
I think the main message was the effort can produce results, even if the original plan is diverted.
Part II: The Twenty-Six Malignant Gates:
a. Why doesn’t the mother want her daughter to ride her bike out of view?
Her mother does not want her daughter to ride her bike out of view in case she were to be injured and her not be aware.
b. Why do you think the daughter refuses to listen to her mother?
The daughter is stubborn and does not accept the “because I said so,” reply she received from her mother. She wishes to know why, and when this is not explained, her frustration grows to
Part I: Feathers from a Thousand Li Away:
a. In the space below, bullet point words/images/lines from the anecdote that stand out to you (it’s okay if you don’t know the significance behind it):
-duck
-America
-coke
-swan
-immigration
b. What do you think the duck represents? I think that the duck represents how effort can create desired results.
c. What hopes does the mother have for her daughter?
The mother hopes that the daughter will be independent, shameless and English speaking.
d. Why does the mother lose hope?
The mother loses hope because of the pain and effort it took losing the swan and dealing with attaining citizenship.
e. Why does she want to tell her daughter her message in perfect English?
She wants to convey her wish and show the pride in her growth.
f. How does this section tie into what the next section is about?
This section provides insight into the characterization of the mother and what the reader may learn about her in the upcoming section.
g. What do you think the main message of the anecdote was?
I think the main message was the effort can produce results, even if the original plan is diverted.
Part II: The Twenty-Six Malignant Gates:
a. Why doesn’t the mother want her daughter to ride her bike out of view?
Her mother does not want her daughter to ride her bike out of view in case she were to be injured and her not be aware.
b. Why do you think the daughter refuses to listen to her mother?
The daughter is stubborn and does not accept the “because I said so,” reply she received from her mother. She wishes to know why, and when this is not explained, her frustration grows to