"Rules of the Game"Mini Essay

Do to the way that Lindo overreacts and her traditional Chinese customs, she is at fault for the conflict in "Rules of the game". One of the reasons why Lindo is at fault for the story's conflict is that she is very accustomed to her traditional Chinese ways and beliefs. It is clear that Mrs. Jong was from China by her comment about people coming from a foreign countries and having to learn "American rules". She was also most likely raised by a very traditional family leading her to push the things she learned on her daughter who is being raised in an entirely different society and generation. One day after Waverly was done playing in a chess tournament Lindo said, "Next time win more, lose less"..."Better to lose less, see if you really need" (Tan 6). Lindo was raised to be very grateful for the things that you and get and giving those things away was not a choice for her. Lindo was trying to teach Wavery that it is better to lose less and only give away something if you really need to but in chess you might have to sacrifice your pieces to win. Lindo's remark to Waverly caused conflict because Mrs. Jong thinks that she knows about how to play chess but she doesn't and it makes Waverly feel like Lindo is trying to control her. Also, instead of Lindo telling her daughter that she did well, she tells her that she could do better and "lose less". Another reason why Lindo causes conflict is that she reacts disproportionaly to a few of the things Wavery says to her. Even though Waverly was excused from her chores she still had to go the market with her mother when she didn't have a chess tournament. While Waverly and her mother are walking together in through shops, Lindo shows Waverly off and and tells almost all of the people she sees, "This my daughter Wave-ly Jong" (Tan 7). Waverly becomes annoyed and says under her breath, "I wish you wouldn't do that, telling everyone I'm your daughter" (Tan 7). Mrs. Jong replies with anger and confusion, "So shame to be