Jing-Mei Woo
For what reason did Jing-mei taking part in "The Joy Luck Club"?
When Jing-mei's mother Suyuan Woo passed away, Jing-mei was asked to take her mother's place at the Joy Luck Club meetings.
What types of hints did Lindo fail to pick up on regarding Waverly's big news in "Four Directions"?
Waverly attempts to share the news of her engagement with Rich at lunch, and subsequently missed out on numerous opportunities to realize how Waverly's apartment was sprinkled with hints that she was in a long-term relationship.
What desert did Lena develop a hatred for based on a bad experience as a child?
Ice cream.
What item does Rose notice underneath the coffee table at the beginning of "Half and Half"?
A white leather bible.
What did Lindo give to Waverly as a form of good luck at her first chess tournament?
A jade pendant.
For what reason did Jing-mei feel uncomfortable to replace her mother's position at The Joy Luck Club?
She felt inadequate to replace her mother because she lacked understanding of her mother and felt that they had a broken relationship throughout their lives.
How did Waverly first develop a love for playing chess?
One Christmas, Waverly’s older brother receives a used chess set with missing pieces as a holiday gift from their church. Lindo wants to throw the chessboard out because it’s clearly been worn down and discarded by a richer family, but Waverly replaces the missing pieces with her Christmas candy in exchange for a chance to play with her brothers.
In what ways must Lena act as a translator and a mediator for her parents Ying-Ying and Clifford?
Growing up, Lena is very aware of the large gaps in understanding between her father’s English and her mother’s Chinese, and she acts as the interpreter between them.
How did Rose and Ted's relationship develop?
When she first started dating her now estranged husband, Ted, Rose didn’t think the relationship would become serious. But after spending time with his parents, who say racist remarks about Asians in the Vietnam War and disapprove of their relationship, Rose and Ted get closer out of defiance.
What types of unusual sounds does Lena hear at night as a child at her childhood home through the wall?
She can hear violent screaming and the sounds of loud arguments.
How could you best describe why Jing-mei and her mother struggled so greatly to form a mutual understanding of one another?
Suyuan sacrifices everything to protect her daughters, even ignoring her own life-threatening illness to get them far away from enemy troops. She does not elaborate on what happened in her past or to the twins, showing the insufficiency of language to express grief, as well as the rift in her relationship with June (a rift founded on her attempt to protect her daughter from sadness by keeping it to herself).
How did Waverly master the difficult rules of chess?
Waverly goes to the library to research chess strategies and game theory in her free time, and slowly starts beating her brothers. She loves the feeling of winning, and daydreams about chess moves. When her brothers get tired of losing, Waverly starts playing against an old man in Chinatown park. Through him, she learns master-level strategies told in Chinese proverbs.
Why did Lena believe her mother was turning into a ghost?
While growing up, Lena sees her mother slowly turn into a ghost, first speaking in gestures and halted thoughts, and then eventually not speaking at all.
In what ways did Rose experience discrimination from the Jordan family?
Ted's mother "uses carefully-concealed racist sentiments to express her disapproval" of Rose and Ted's interracial marriage. This suggests that the Jordan family harbors underlying racist attitudes towards Rose's Chinese heritage, which they use to undermine her relationship with Ted.
What name did Rose find written on the cover of An-mei's bible?
Her brother's name "Bing" was written clearly on the cover.
Why is Jing-mei so afraid to go to China to meet her sisters?
Jing-mei feels guilty because she believes that she didn’t value her mother enough during her life, nor try to learn her mother’s life story enough to pass on to others.
What events unfolded after Waverly chose to run off from her mother after their altercation in Chinatown took place?
Waverly runs off, ignoring her mother calling her back, and hides in an alley. Hours later, she returns home to her brothers telling her that she’s in deep trouble. However, Lindo doesn’t acknowledge her, saying the family has no concern for Waverly if Waverly has no concern for them. Waverly goes to her room and dreams of a chess game against her mother, where she’s not only losing the game, but floating away from the world, blown away by the wind.
Why was Lena grateful that her mother would criticize Harold for his aggressive behavior and mannerisms?
Lena is secretly glad that her mother reprimands his aggressive style, as Lena has always been too passive to complain. It can be concluded that Lena does not have open communication with her husband, similar to Rose’s marriage.
What traumatic childhood memory does Rose have from their vacation to the Pacific Ocean?
During a vacation to the Pacific Ocean, Rose was asked to babysit her brother. Rose turns her gaze back to Bing just as he falls into the ocean without a splash. Rose is completely frozen in shock, but her sisters immediately notice Bing’s absence, asking Rose where he is.
What did Jing-Mei do to honor her mother in "Two Kinds"?
She had the piano that her mother gifted to her as a child refurbished to bask in her mother's memory and goodwill.
For what reason does Suyuan give up on June's potential to succeed at playing piano?
June’s complete disrespect for Suyuan’s past daughters is so hurtful that Suyuan gives up on June’s potential gift, despite all her sacrifices leading up to the awful talent show.
According to Waverly and Lindo, what was the art of "invisible strength"?
Waverly's mother, Lindo Jong, taught her the "art of invisible strength" as a strategy for winning arguments, gaining respect from others, and ultimately, winning chess games. This "invisible strength" is described as a form of self-control and inner power that cannot be seen or traced, like the wind.
How was Lena able to successfully support Harold as he worked towards opening his own business?
Lena is extremely supportive and encouraging to Harold about opening his own firm. She leaves her job at her initial firm to become an associate at his firm, at her own financial sacrifice. The initial years are difficult, and Lena gives Harold pep talks to keep him positive. During one such talk, Lena gives Harold the idea that turns his business into a huge success.
In what ways does Rose value marriage differently from her mother An-mei?
An-mei, along with the other mothers, view something as significant as marriage cannot be abandoned lightly. Even though Rose is suffering in her marriage, An-mei believes some sacrifice is necessary, and there’s still a solution to the problem that doesn’t involve giving up.
Who is the best character in "The Joy Luck Club"?
All of them :)