Vocabulary
invisible strength
כח נסתר
In the story it means hiding her desires by remaining silent in order to get what she wants
What is the setting of Rules of the Game?
Chinatown, San Francisco. Late 1950s
What does the chessboard symbolize in the story?
Life’s challenges and the strategies needed to navigate them.
Who wrote Rules of the Game?
Amy Tan
“The strongest wind cannot be seen.”
Waverly's mother
rise above our circumstances
להתעלות על הנסיבות
Her mother wanted Waverly and her brothers to be strong and despite the circumstances, them being poor, gain more in life
Who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist of Rules of the Game?
protagonist: Waverly Jong
antagonist: her mother
What literary device is used in the title Rules of the Game?
Metaphor
What is Amy Tan’s cultural heritage?
Chinese-American
“I closed my eyes and pondered my next move.”
Waverly
salted plums
שזיפים מלוחים
They are a symbol for love, discipline and value of tradition
What is the central conflict in the story? What type of conflict is portrayed in Rules of the Game: internal, external, or both?
The conflict between Waverly and her mother over control and expectations.
Both (internal: Waverly's desire for independence; external: conflict with her mother).
Waverly’s fascination with her mother’s “invisible strength” is an example of a literary device. Which literary device?
Foreshadowing. This fascination and obedience early in the story hints at the strategic battles they will face.
How did Amy Tan’s family influence her writing?
Her mother’s immigrant experience and strict parenting informed many of her characters and conflicts.
"She not want it, we not want it"
Waverly's mother
graciously
באדיבות
Not showing your feelings. Waverly's mother was being thankful for the chess gift even when she wasn't happy about it.
What is the theme of Rules of the Game?
The clash of cultural values, family expectations, and individual independence.
What is imagery in literature? Give one example from the story.
a literary device that uses vivid and descriptive language to create mental pictures in the reader's mind. The description of Chinatown streets, the allies, the shops and playground.
"On less crowded market days, we would inspect the crates of live frogs and crabs which we were warned not to poke."
Where did Amy Tan grow up?
California
“I could see myself becoming like the chess pieces, small and obedient.”
Waverly
prodigy
ילדת פלא
Waverly turns out to have a real talent for chess
Winning at chess helps Waverly gain privileges and a sense of importance at home. Give two examples.
she is excused from household chores, like washing the dishes.
She doesn't have to finish her meals.
Her mother takes great pride in Waverly's achievements.
What does Waverly’s white dress represent?(symbol for)
Her role as her mother's “trophy” and the expectations placed on her.
What major themes are common in Amy Tan’s works?
Mother-daughter relationships, cultural identity, and generational conflict.
“It’s a game of secrets. You have to think for yourself.”
Lau Po (Waverly’s Chess Mentor)