Character
What's the name of the narrator "I" in this novel? (Page 19)
JING-MEI WOO
In page 20, how did the narrator's parents meet their friends in the Joy Luck Club?
They met them in the church.
What is the "mah jong table" mentioned in the novel?
the table where the four Chinese mothers gather regularly to play mah jong, a traditional Chinese tile game
In page 19, the author mentions "chabudwo" and "butong." Then the author says "I can never remember things that I didn't understand in the first place." what does the author imply?
The two words and sentence suggest that the daughter didn't understand her mother both in language and culture.
In the last sentence of paragraph 2, page 23, the author wrote: "And that's when I thought I needed something to do to help me move." What does this sentence suggest about the mother's emotional or psychological condition?
Metaphorical phrasing: “help me move” may be literal (physically fleeing danger) and emotional (finding the courage to act, to survive, to change). This reflects her inner strength and resilience.
In page 20, why does the narrator say that the story her mother told her was a "Kweilin Story"?
The idea of Joy Luck was from the days of her mother's first marriage in Kweilin.
In page 22, what was the historical context in China when the narrator's parents were living in China? Why were people flooding into the city during this time? Provide one evidence from the original text.
a time of fear, uncertainty, and destruction during the Sino-Japanese War. People are fleeing the countryside and entering cities to seek safety. Her words reveal a time of wartime chaos.
In page 20, the author writes: "my mother recognized the numbness in these women's faces." How can we understand the word "numbness"? what does this word suggest?
It suggests that the women had the same tragedy in China which had strong negative influence on them.
Based on page 22 and page 23, the mother experienced the inner war in China while at the same time she created the Joy Luck Club. Based on her experience, what do you think of the personality of her? Provide evidence to justify your answer.
Her actions show that she is mentally strong, practical, and compassionate. She not only survives hardship but also helps others cope. By creating the Joy Luck Club, she brings people together and gives them comfort — proving her inner courage and belief in hope, even during dark times.
"We knew the Japanese were winning, even when the newspapers said they were not."
→ This shows she is clear-eyed and realistic — she sees the truth even when others try to deny it.
“And that’s when I thought I needed something to do to help me move.”
→ She does not give in to fear or helplessness. Instead, she takes initiative and searches for purpose during a chaotic time.
“That’s how I came to have the Joy Luck Club. These women came, and they played mah jong, and I served special foods.”
→ Even in wartime, she creates joy and community. She refuses to let fear take over her life. Creating the club is a sign of hope, leadership, and emotional strength.
The real Kweilin is strange and beautiful which exceeded her imaginations and expectations.
Evidence: "These were things so strange and beautiful you can't ever imagine them."
This is a question about Chinese history.
Tell us the origin of Mah Jong in China.
Invented in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912):
Mahjong is believed to have originated in the mid-to-late 19th century, particularly in the Yangtze River Delta (especially around Ningbo, Shanghai, and Zhejiang).
Evolved from older card and tile games such as madiao (马吊) and maque (麻雀) — both used suits and combinations similar to mahjong.
How can we understand the last sentence ("Over the years, she told me the same story... eventually into mine.") in the first paragraph in page 21?
his sentence reflects a shift in perspective — from viewing stories as only about the past to recognizing them as mirrors of the present. It shows how storytelling becomes a bridge between mother and daughter, past and present, China and America, and ultimately leads to healing and understanding.