Mothers & Daughters
Who founded the original Joy Luck Club in Kweilin?
Suyuan Woo
What does the red candle symbolize in Lindo’s story?
An unbreakable marriage bond
Jing-mei's mother wanted her to be a child prodigy at which instrument?
Piano
In which city do the Joy Luck Club members meet?
San Francisco
Which child drowned at the beach, causing a loss of faith?
Bing Hsu
Which daughter is a professional chess champion?
Waverly Jong
What does the swan feather represent in the novel?
A mother’s hope/good intentions for her daughter
What is the "art of invisible strength" Waverly learns?
Winning through silence and poise
How does Lindo Jong escape her arranged marriage?
By tricking her in-laws with a fake dream
What did An-mei's mother eat to end her life?
Poisoned Opium Dumplings
Who is the mother that tells the story of the Moon Lady?
Ying-ying St. Clair
What does the jade pendant represent for Jing-mei?
Her mother’s "life’s importance
Why does An-mei’s mother put her own flesh into a soup?
To try to heal her own dying mother
Why did Suyuan have to abandon her twin babies?
Fleeing war, she was too weak to carry them
What does Ying-ying mean when she calls herself a "ghost"?
She lost her spirit/identity in a bad marriage
Which daughter is struggling through a divorce with Ted?
Rose Hsu Jordan
What does the "Twenty-Six Malignant Gates" represent?
The dangers that can befall an unprotected child
What does Lena learn about her marriage from her mother's predictions?
That it is spiritually unbalanced
Who does Waverly fear will judge her fiancé, Rich?
Her mother, Lindo
How does An-mei’s mother force her husband to honor her?
By committing suicide to secure her daughter's future
Identify the "Fourth Wife" in An-mei’s mother's history.
An-mei’s mother herself
What is the meaning of the concept "chabudwo"
Almost the same"; implies a lack of precision
Why does Jing-mei feel like a failure?
The pressure to be a "best quality" prodigy she could not meet
What is the symbolic resolution of Jing-mei's trip to China?
Meeting her sisters and realizing their shared blood/identity
Why did the twins not recognize Jing-mei at first?
They were separated as infants during the war