The
Joy Luck Club
Joy Luck Club
This is the game played by the four mothers at every meeting.
What is Mahjong?
This famous 1950s child star was the first "prodigy" Jing-mei tried to emulate.
Who is Shirley Temple?
Suyuan claims there are only "two kinds" of these.
What are daughters?
These are the "two kinds" of daughters Suyuan says exist.
What are those who are obedient and those who follow their own mind?
The original club was founded in this Chinese city during the war.
What is Kweilin?
This is the name of the deaf piano teacher who lived in the same apartment building.
Who is Mr. Chong (or Old Chong)?
This character is Jing-mei’s main "rival," a chess prodigy who makes Jing-mei feel inadequate.
Who is Waverly Jong?
At the end of "Two Kinds," Jing-mei realizes "Pleading Child" and "Perfectly Contented" are actually this.
What are two halves of the same song?
Suyuan started the club for this specific emotional reason during the horrors of the war.
What is to maintain hope
Jing-mei’s mother traded this specific service in exchange for piano lessons.
What is house cleaning?
This is the "terrible" thing Jing-mei says to her mother to finally end the piano arguments.
What is "I wish I were dead like them" (referring to the twins)?
This piece of furniture is offered to Jing-mei for her 30th birthday, symbolizing forgiveness.
What is the piano?
This is the direction/corner of the table where Suyuan always sat, and where Jing-mei sits now.
What is the East?
Jing-mei performed this specific song at the disastrous talent show.
What is "Pleading Child"?
After seeing her "prodigy" tests fail, Jing-mei looks in the mirror and vows to do this.
What is not let her mother change her (or "be herself")?
According to the Aunties, this is "in your bones," meaning it is impossible for Jing-mei to escape it.
What is being Chinese?
This is the amount of money the Aunties give Jing-mei to travel to China.
What is $1,200?
This is the name of the show the family watched that convinced Suyuan her daughter should play piano.
What is The Ed Sullivan Show?
The Aunties fear that if Jing-mei tells her sisters the truth, the sisters will think Suyuan didn't do this.
What is "love them"?
This is the secret Suyuan took to her grave, which the Aunties finally reveal to Jing-mei.
What is that her twin daughters in China are still alive?