Plot Elements
Symbolism
Figurative Language
Author's Background
Everything Else
100
What is the exposition?
Mrs. Woo wants her daughter to be a prodigy. She is making her daughter try everything to become famous.
100
What is symbolism?
Giving objects deeper meanings.
100
Why do authors use figurative language?
To enhance the enjoyment of the book and give a deeper meaning to things
100
What race is Amy Tan?
Chinese
100
Who is the conflict between?
Mrs. Woo and Jing-Mei
200
What is the rising action?
Jing-Mei starts piano lessons and cheats her way through it. During the concert she does awful and embarrasses her whole family.
200
What does America symbolize?
Hope and no problems.
200
“I made high-pitched noises like a crazed animal, trying to scratch out the face in the mirror.” What is this?
A metaphor
200
Why was Amy Tan arrested?
For drug abuse
200
Who does Amy Tan allude to?
Shirley Temple
300
What is the climax?
Jing-Mei yells at her mother for trying to change her and says she wishes she was never born.
300
How many main symbols are in the book?
3
300
What two words are used in a simile?
"Like" or "as"
300
Who did Amy marry?
Lou Demattei
300
What is the irony in the book?
The piano
400
What is the falling action?
Mrs. Woo gave up on Jing-Mei so she gave up on herself too.
400
What does the piano symbolize?
Hatred and disappointment
400
What is this? “I made high-pitched noises like a crazed animal, trying to scratch out the face in the mirror.”
Symbolism
400
What was Amy's first popular book?
"The Joy Luck Club"
400
What is the theme?
To love and respect everyone for who they are.
500
What is the resolution?
Mrs. Woo dies and Jing-Mei starts to play the piano again.
500
What do the two songs represent?
Mothers and daughters being different but the same.
500
How does symbolism in this quote enhance this book?“I made high-pitched noises like a crazed animal, trying to scratch out the face in the mirror.”
Helps reader understand how Jing-Mei is becoming someone she doesn’t want to be
500
What college did she go to?
Linfield College in Oregon
500
What was the point of view?
First person
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