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Is Jing-Mei's Relationship In The Joy Luck Club By Amy Tan

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“I Will Always Love You”
In The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, Jing-Mei believes her mother, Suyuan, is judgmental and uncaring, yet as the novel progresses, Jing-Mei becomes conscious of her mother’s struggle in moving to a foreign country, abandoning her twins and China, and resettling with a new family. Following her mother’s passing, Jing-Mei is asked to play mahjong in her mother’s place. Throughout the game, Jing-Mei notes that her mother “always [seemed] displeased,” as she was convinced “[s]omething was always missing. Something always needed improving. Something was not in balance” (30-31). By unfailingly appearing discontent, the mother takes on a judgmental role: never fully satisfied with others’ words or actions. Furthermore, the terms “[s]omething always needed improving” give the impression that Suyuan is seldom satisfied, which therefore portrays her as …show more content…

Later, Jing-Mei believes her mother is attempting to change her into someone she is not, and, fed up, the two begin to fight. After uttering that only “obedient daughters” are allowed to live in her home, Jing-Mei retaliates by declaring: “‘I wish I were dead! Like them.’ [...] [H]er face went blank, [...] and she backed out of the room, stunned, as if she were blowing away like a small brown leaf, thin, brittle, lifeless” (142). Realizing the importance of the lost twins, Jing-Mei utilizes this information to essentially destroy Suyuan. As Suyuan leaves the room stunned, Jing-Mei also discovers the hurt she has caused her. Consequently, Jing-Mei is able to perceive how tormenting coming to terms with losing her children, and being forced to abandon them in China, has been to Suyuan. Yet, after her mother passes, Jing-Mei is left to reflect on Suyuan’s wishes and life, surrounded by her mother’s

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