LENA Theme Quote Techniques & Explanation ‘when people first saw me they thought I looked like my father, English-Irish, big-boned…‘instead of having cheeks like my fathers sharped- edge parts, mine were smooth as a beach pebbles…’Pg.105 ‘I used to wonder which was worse, our side or thiers?’Pg.113 Through the use of comparison it shows that Lena doesn’t have a sense identity, she feels that she isn’t quite sure where she fits in. This highlights her lack of connection to her culture and self- identity. identity and alienation from others ‘My mother was lying in bed.my mother was now always ‘’resting’’ and it was as if she had died and become a living ghost.’ P.g113 Through Ying Ying losing her sense of self it has made it hard for Lena to then have a relationship with her. She can’t relate to her mother as her mother lacks a strong self identity. This is said through a simile when referring to her mother as a ghost - something that is now distant and unreachable. alienation ‘ I saw a girl complaining that the pain of not being seen was unbearable’ Pg. 115 Lena is expressing her sorrow of not having a relationship with her mother and not being ‘seen’. Through metaphorical language it can be seen that the experience has left her feeling invisible and that no one cares about her. Her desire to have a relationship with her mother is metaphorically felt like a physical pain. self-awareness and alienation ‘…why gosh, you aren’t the girl I thought you were, are you?’ Pg.156 Reflective tone is used showing Lena’s insecurities; she feels Harold will one day see the “real” Lena and be disappointed. This shows her lack self-assurance. It also shows Lena’s sense of disconnection to her husband because she realises that he is not right for her. self awareness ‘we need to think about what our marriage is really based on not this balance sheet who owes who what’ Lena stands up for herself, knowing what she really deserves and her values. Metaphorically, describing herself and her value to a balance sheet. The balance sheet symbolizes how her life and her marriage is based on being ‘fair and equal’, but in doing this it highlight how ironically this accomplishes the complete opposite. identity and connection to culture family relations Through Lena comparing her family to her next door neighbours, she asks her self. Rhetorical questions weighing up if the quiet and overlooked relationship she shares with her mother is really better than the volatile passionate relationship of the mother and daughter next door LINDO Theme cultural disconnection Quotes Even if you put on their clothes, even if…..they know, they know you do not belong ‘ Pg253 Techniques & Explanation ‘The repetition of ‘even if ‘shows the disconnection of her daughter Waverly to Chinese culture. Although Waverly is born of Chinese descent, she was born and raised as an American and no matter how much her appearance looks Chinese she will never share that link of culture to her mother. cultural disconnection ‘only her skin and her hair are Chinese, inside –she is all American made’ Pg 253 ‘because I was promised to the Huang’s son for marriage, my own family began treating me as if I belonged to somebody else’51 ‘I missed my family and my stomach felt bad, knowing I had finally arrived where my life said I belonged’ Contrast is used when Lindo is talking about her daughter and how although Waverly is her daughter yet they do not share a mutual cultural connection family family self-identity inner strength culture clash ‘I wiped my eyes and looked in the mirror. I was surprised at what I saw. I had on a beautiful red dress, but what I saw was even more valuable. I was strong. I was pure. I had genuine thoughts inside that no one could see that no one could ever take away from me. I was like the wind ’Pg 58 ‘it’s my fault she is this way. I wanted my children to have the best combination: American circumstances and Chinese character. How could I know these two things do not mix?’ Pg. 254 First person is used when Lindo is talking about how she feels disconnected to her family because she feels as though she has been ‘sold , she was left feeling uncertain of were she belonged first person narration is used when Lindo arrives at her new home, she feels conflicted because although this was the place she was constantly reminded she belonged, she knew in her mind and heart that she did not belong. This is said when stating ‘my stomach felt bad’ this represents how Lindo physically felt sick knowing this is where she was supposed to belong. A strong sense of belong to self arises in Lindo when realising that she had a strong inner self and no matter what, nobody could break her sense of belonging to herself. A simile is used when describing herself as the ‘wind’ something strong and all powerful. This highlights her discovery of her strong sense of self belonging. Rhetorical questioning is used when Lindo is reflecting back on her intentions on how she wanted her children to grow up with the great morals of her Chinese heritage but combined with American ways, however, in doing this, she was bound to fail - ‘how could I know these who things do not mix?’, this highlights the break in the link between Lindo and her daughter causing them to not belong in a relationship together ROSE Theme importance of faith Quotes “That leatherette bible wound up wedged under a too-short table leg, a way for her to correct the imbalances of life”- 116 Techniques & Explanation Symbolism of bible: the bible is a symbolism to faith and optimism. The fact that it is under a table leg is very noticeable emphasises that her faith is very strong even though it is not overtly displayed. Contrast: this links to purity/cleanness/innocence her belief that Bing is not dead. White symbolises “My mother is not the best house keeper in the world, and after all these years, the bible is still clean white”- 116 conflict “did I think we should buy an American car or a Japanese car?” -119 “a protective veil had been lifted and Ted now started pushing me about everything” – 120 conflict assimilation to culture “yin and yang. I was victim to his hero….. I would fall and he would lift me up. It was exhilarating and draining” – 118 and 119 “I have to admit that what I initially found attractive in Ted … his brashness; the assuredness in which he asked for things and expected to get them; …. The fact that his parents immigrated from Tarrytown, New York, not Tientsin China” – 117 “We would have made quite a sight, if anyone else had been watching, nine pairs of bare feet trudging, nine pairs of shoes in hand, nine pairs of bare feet trudging… turned towards the water to Accumulation of rhetorical questions: this emphasises Rose’s lack of control in the relationship between her and Ted. Metaphor: the protective veil was something that kept Ted and Rose’s relationship out of danger (divorce), but since it has been gone, there’s tension between them highlighting the rocky relationship they now currently have Juxtaposition: emphasises how different Rose and Ted are, each was dependent on the other, they balanced each other. They each had a specific “role” to play (victim/hero) in the relationship, but this role became old/tiresome and irrelevant as the years progressed Contrast: emphasises how different the two cultures are. The accumulation of words that contrast to Rose’s character and circumstances shows how different Ted was to Rose. Repetition: the repetition of “nine pairs” highlights the close bond that the family has together. This highlights how the family wanted to be part of American culture – they were attempting to participate in an American cultural pastime. faith self-confidence identity self-belief conflict self-awareness culture identity Cultural belonging family identity watch the waves tumbling in “– page 122 “I think about Bing, how I knew he was in danger, how I let it happen. I think about my marriage, how I had seen the signs, really I had. But I let it happen. And I think now that fate is shaped have by expectation and half by inattention. But somehow, when you lose something you love, faith take over. You have to pay attention to what you lost. You have to undo expectations” pg. 130-131 “should I run to the water and try to pull him out? Should I shout to my father? Can I rise on my legs fast enough? Can I talk it all back and forbidding from joining my father on the ledge?” pg. 126 “I know that I had never expected to find Bing, just as I know now I will never find a way to save my marriage. My mother tells me I should still try.” Pg. 130 “Lately I had been feeling huhlihudu. And everything around me seemed to be heimongmong. There are words I had never thought about in English terms. I suppose the closest in meaning would be ‘confused’ and ‘dark fog’. “Over the years, I learned to choose from the best opinions. Chinese people had Chinese opinions. American people had American opinions. And in almost every case, the American version was much better.” ‘“A girl is like a young tree,” she said. “You must stand tall and listen to your mother standing next to you… but if you bend to listen to other people, you Repetition: Rose is reflecting on how she “let things happen”, let fate take over. She realises she now has to have faith in her self and not rely on fate but on faith (in herself). Rhetorical questions: the repetition of rhetorical questions highlights Rose’s uncertainty and lack confidence. She lacks self-assurance to make a decision. As a result, she thinks she’s to blame for the accident that occurred. She is then reluctant to make decisions, take on responsibilities; she doesn’t have belief in herself. High modality: she now has a realistic outlook on the situation of her marriage; she knows that it’ll never workout, but her mother suggests that she should rethink her options about her marriage. The use of authentic language shows how Rose has an understanding of the Chinese language. It helps the audience understand how Rose is finally connected to her culture and has used it to find a sense of identity as she reaches self-understanding . Rose realises she was confused about her marriage (huhlihudu) and everything seemed like she was in a dark fog (heimongmong), with no resolution in sight The repetition of “Chinese” and “American” emphasises the cultural difference between the two countries and the contrast of culture. The audience sees the contrast throughout the two cultures gaining an understanding of it. A simile has been used to compare Rose to a young tree and later, a weed; the quote is saying how a child must listen to her mother no matter how old she grows up, the mother is always right. This emphasises the importance of belonging to your mother. An-Mei also explains the self awareness family will grow crooked and weak.. you will be like a weed…until someone pulls you out and throws you away”’ “You can’t just pull me out of your life and throw me away.” “she said a mirror could only see my face, but she could see inside out even when I was not in the room” consequences of listening to too many people –she will be like a weed, have no direction, because she is “without wood”. Metaphorical language and imperative tone have been used to emphasise that Ted cannot treat Rose so disrespectfully. It highlights her newfound strength to finally be more decisive and take action. This echoes her mother, An-Mei’s advice about being strong and listening to her so she is able to withstand life’s adversities. Metaphorical language is used to emphasise the strong connection and sense of belonging between An-Mei and Rose – she can see beyond the superficial – deep inside her daughter. AN-MEI Theme Quotes Techniques & Explanation “Here us how I came to love my mother. How I saw her in my own true nature. What was beneath my skin. Inside I saw bones” p180 “My heart felt like crickets scratching to get out of a cage. My mother must have heard because she looked up. And when she did I saw my own face looking back at me.” p47 SHORT SENTENCES: shows An-Mei’s short and brief connection to her mother. The responder understands how An-Mei is connecting to her mother as she feels she identifies aspects of her own self in her mother. This is reinforced through the sensory imagery of how her mother is deep inside of her, under her skin. history and memory “In two years’ time my scar became pale and shiny and I had no memory of my mother” p47 SYMBOLISM: the scar is a symbolic reminder of her mother, it is the only memory left of her. As the scar fades away, she forgets her mother. With the passing of time, An-Mei became more distant towards her mother; not something she intended but something that was a natural process, resulting from not having physical contact with her. family suffering An-Mei’s mother speaking: “This is how a daughter honours her mother. It is shou so deep it is in your bones. The pain of the flesh is nothing. The pain you must forget” p40 METAPHORICAL LANGUAGE: emotional bond to family could be painful. Difficult to find a sense of acceptance family family family culture “…my mother told me my mother was a ghost. This did not mean my mother was dead. In those days, a ghost was anything we were SIMILE /SENSORY IMAGERY: crickets scratching shows how desperately An-Mei wanted to connect with her mother. The connection between them is highlighted by the sense of her mother “hearing” her heart. Responder understands the desperate need for An-Mei to be with her mother, she metaphorically wants to escape yearning to physically be with her mother. METAPHORICAL LANGUAGE: When her mother looks at her, she sees her own face looking back – this shows her connection to her mother through physical resemblance. REPETITION: ‘pain’ An-Mei feels deep connection with her mother because she is prepared to sacrifice herself symbolically to keep her own mother alive. AUTHENTIC LANGUAGE: Shows a deeper connection to her mother because she is using her native language emphasising the cultural connection between mother and daughter. Metaphor: ‘ghost’ is a negative connotation of her mother’s absence – highlighting how difficult to was to establish a connection with her mother. ancestry family inner strength sacrifice inner strength forbidden to talk about…and this is how I came to remember nothing of her” p42 “And even though I taught my daughter the opposites, still she came out the same way! Maybe it is because she was born to me and she was born to a girl. And I was born to my mother and I was born a girl. All of us are like stairs, one step after another, going up and down, all the same way.” p215 “I knew she was my mother because I could feel her pain” p216 “Now you see”, said the turtle… “why it is useless to cry. Your tears do not wash away your sorrows. They feed someone else’s joy. And that is why you must learn to swallow your own tears”. An-mei’s mother commits suicide: “I knew she could see me and what she had finally done. So I shut her eyes with my fingers and told her with my heart: I can see the truth, too. I am strong, too.”p240 “And on that day I showed second wife the fake pearl necklace she had given me and crushed it under my foot. And on that day, second wife’s hair began to turn white. And on that day I learned to shout.”p240 She was forbidden to talk about her mother because her grandmother didn’t want her to suffer. So she accepted the cultural tradition of not talking about the dead, which was forbidden in Chinese culture. Simile: Using the simile of the stairs shows the link between the generations. This indicates how each mother is connected to her daughter, how each one still makes the same mistakes despite the intentions of each mother to teach her daughter to be different. First and second personal pronoun: shows that An-Mei is beginning to realise that regardless of whether she denies her Chinese heritage, it will always be a part of her connection between mother and daughter. Sensory Imagery: reconnecting with her mother after a long absence is painful. An-Mei is able to feel her empathy for her mother. The ability to feel her mother’s pain emphasises the strong bond and understanding between mother and daughter. Metaphor: “swallow your own tears” Through the parable of the turtle it teaches An-Mei a lesson, developing inner strength. Metaphorical language and short sentences: An-Mei speaking “from the heart” shows a true understanding and strong connection to her mother, learning from her death she understands herself and gains the strength she needs to stand up to Second Wife and Wu Tsing. Symbolism: finding her voice and ability to “shout” and be strong only days after her mother dies. She symbolically crushes the glass pearls revealing the truth behind Second Wife’s false character. Second Wife’s hair turns white from the shock of her true nature being revealed and witnessing An-Mei’s newfound strength. WAVERLEY Theme conflict alienation Quotes In my head, I saw a chessboard with sixty-four black and white squares. Opposite me was my opponent, two angry black slits. She wore a triumphant smile. ‘strongest wind cannot be seen’ she said – page 100 Techniques & Explanation Symbolism – the chess board symbolises the intricate game of manipulation Waverly believes she is playing with her mother. The chessboard has been symbolic of their combative relationship and more recently it has become symbolic of the disconnection between Waverly and her mother after her failure at chess. Personification- the two tiger’s eyes are used to symbolise her mother’s eyes. This foretells that she’ll be in trouble and is alienated from her mother. The alley was quiet and I could see the yellow lights shining from out flat like two tiger’s eyes in the night – page 100 conflict and alienation culture conflict alienation I felt myself growing light. I rose up into the air and flew out the window. Higher and higher, above the alley, over the topes of tiled roofs, where I was gathered up by the wind and pushed up toward the night sky until everything below me disappeared and I was alone. – page 101 It was her chang, a small table of red jade which held the sun’s fire. “is luck,” she whispered, and tucked it into my dress pocket – page 96 Metaphor - The wind is her mother and she is being distanced away from her due to the conflict between them. This made Waverly realize that she is “alone”, there is a lack of belonging with her mother. “And the pain I feel is worse than any other kind of misery. Because what she does always comes as a shock, exactly like an electric jolt, that grounds itself permanently in my memory.” “A Horse, born in 1918, destined to be obstinate and frank to the point of tactlessness. She and I make a bad combination, because I’m a Rabbit, born in 1951, supposedly sensitive, with tendencies toward being thin- Simile used: “like an electric jolt” shows the pain Waverly felt from the conflict with her mother is something really deep and it always comes surprisingly, just like an electric jolt, and can affect her permanently. Symbolism - This is given from her mother for her not to lose her Chinese identity as red is a colour of good luck in Chinese tradition. The comparison between a horse and a rabbit, symbolising Lindo and Waverly respectively, shows that they have two totally different personalities. One who talks too straightforward and one who is sensitive to things or words around her, and these will make a bad combination. This shows their alienation from each other. family culture conflict family skinned and skittery at the first sign of criticism. “Well, I don’t know if it’s explicitly stated in the law, but you can’t ever tell a Chinese mother to shut up. You could be charged as an accessory to you own murder.” “Oh, her strength! Her weakness! – both pulling me apart. My mind was flying one way, my heart another.” High modality used in “you can’t ever tell a Chinese mother to shut up” shows that despite growing up in America, Waverly’s heart and mind were still embedded by Chinese culture and manners, showing her connection to her culture. Contrast is used in “her strength! Her weakness!” shows the power of Lindo over Waverly, and that Waverly knows that her mother is powerful enough to control all her feelings, showing the impact of the conflict on their relationship. identity “I… I just don’t know what’s inside me right now.” The uses of ellipses, dialogue and emotive language indicate that Waverly has no sense of self. Her emotions are always controlled by her mother and she knows nothing about herself and who she is. Belonging to mother I saw what I had been fighting for: It was for me, a scared child, who had run away a long time ago to what I had imagined was a safer place. And hiding in this place, behind my invisible barriers, I knew what lay on the other side: Her side attacks. Her secret weapons. Her uncanny ability to find my weakest spots. But in brief instant that I had peered over the barriers I could finally see what was really there: an old woman, a wok for her armour, a knitting needle for her sword, getting a little crabby as she waited patiently for her daughter to invite her in. “The three of us, leaving out differences behind, stepping on the plane together, sitting side by side, lifting off, moving West to reach the East.” Symbolism and metaphors are used in this quote describing all the things her mother did for her as attacks and weapons to make her stronger and to emphasise how much Lindo wanted to feel a connection to Waverly. family Short sentences and future tense are used to emphasise the idea of three of them, making great efforts to maintain better relationships between each other, trying to spend their holiday together, showing the connection to each other, as a whole family. JING-MEI Theme identity identity conflict family alienation culture culture Quotes Techniques & Explanation P134 I saw my own face staring back-and that it would always be this ordinary noises-I began to cry. Such a sad, ugly girl! I made high-pitched noises like a crazy animal, trying to scratch out the face in the mirror. The girl staring back at me was angry, powerful. This girl and were the same. I had new thoughts, wilful thoughts, or rather thoughts filled with list of wont’s. I won’t let her change me, I promised myself. I won’t be what I’m not. Adjectives with negative connotations “ugly”, “sad” are used to show how Jing-Mei had a poor sense of self, she disliked herself because she felt she was not good enough and always failed her mother’s expectations. P136 “Why don’t you like me the way I am? I’m not a genius! I can’t play the piano. And even if I could, I wouldn’t go on TV if you paid me a million dollars!” I cried Rhetorical question and highly modal language is used “why don’t you like me? I’m not a genius!” Jing-Mei question her mother about why she can’t accept her for who she is. She thinks her mother doesn’t like her because she is not a genius. She feels alienated from her mother. My mother was right. I am becoming Chinese” pg 267 “someday you will see, it’s in your blood waiting to let go” pg 267 short sentences and highly modal language shows the responder that Jing Mei has realised and accepted her culture, that she is Chinese. Sensory imagery and metaphorical language shows the responder that Jing Mei’s mother is telling her that Chinese culture is in her blood and one day it will let go and she will realise after all that she is truly Chinese A simile is used, showing the responder that Jing-Mei does not feel a connection to China when she first arrives. She stands out like a foreigner from the outset. alienation “I saw myself transforming like a werewolf, a mutant tag of DNA suddenly triggered” pg 267 Belonging to family and culture “And now I also see what part of me is Chinese. It is so obvious. It is my family. It is in our blood. After all these years, it can finally be let go.” Pg 288 Repetition of “I won’t “ suggests Jing-Mei had strong feelings about who she was, she decided she would never change herself. She couldn’t be more than who she was. Jing-mei has new, powerful thoughts of herself, she is starting to see who she really is. Highly modal language shows the responder that Jing Mei has realised and accepted her culture; that she is Chinese. Sensory imagery “it is in our blood” suggests she accepts that her culture is in her blood and that it is finally let go and she realises her culture is a good thing and her culture has connected her with her sisters and also her mother. family alienation "What will I say? What can I tell them about my mother? I don't anything. She was my mother." p.40 Rhetorical questions have been used to display the uncertainty that Jing-Mei struggles with referring to her relationship with her mother. Hyperbole of 'anything' applies an emphasis on the lack of connection and understanding shared between mother and daughter. culture "But what's the Chinese word that means indifferent because you can't see any differences?" p.27 "She said the two soups were almost the same, chabudwo. Or maybe she said butong, not the same thing at all.... I can never remember things I never didn't understand..." p19 "I imagined Joy Luck was a shameful Chinese custom, like the secret gathering of the Ku Klux Klan..." p.28 "The chair closets to the door has an emptiness to it. But the feeling doesn't really have to do with the chair." p.33 Rhetorical question has been used to express the lack of personal significance of Chinese in Jing-Mei's life. Authentic language is used to display Chinese traditional culture, setting context along with alienating the responder and reflecting Jing-Mei’s alienation from her culture.. High modality "I can never...." emphasises the on going constant lack of connection to her culture. alienation "All the times when she got mad at me, was she really thinking about them? Did she wish I were they? Did she regret that I wasn't?" p. 278 "I lay awake thinking about my mother's story, realising how much I have never known about her, grieving that my sisters and I had both lost her" p. 286 Rhetorical questions emphasises Jing-Mei's confusion. It expresses her distress of her relationship with her mother was one that did not share a deep connection. Reflective tone uses Jing-Mei's disappointment to express thealienation in their relationship. This demonstrates the guilt of the lost chance emphasising the importance of family on JingMei now. family '"Little sister has grown up" It is so obvious. It is my family. It's in our blood" p. 288 Emotive language family and sisterhood effectively creates a sense of close connection between the twins and Jing-Mei. The theme of connecting to one another is strongly evident between family members. High modality demonstrates the high will power and strong sense of belonging. Short sentence reveals the urgency of Jing-Mei's thoughts and the priority of her sisters belonging with her sisters alienation Emotive language "shameful" effectively creates negative connotations towards the group. This demonstrates Jing-Mei's prejudice attitudes towards the meeting and her impression she doesn't belong. Negative connotations "Ku Klux Klan" build on the false impressions of what her mother belonged to. Imagery of the emptiness demonstrates the alienation to culture. It expresses the lack of connection along with emphasising the sense of loss she experienced with the death of her mother. culture "No, tell me in Chinese ," I interrupt. "Really, I can understand." p. 281 "Yet they still look familiar. And now I also see what part of me is Chinese." p. 288 High modality expresses the certainty of Jing-Mei's confidence in her belonging to the Chinese culture. It displays her wiliness to accept her heritage and attempt to further connect with herself. Metaphoric language demonstrates that her identity has become Chinese. This deep change symbolises the new understanding of her place in culture, leading to personal peace. identity P133 “I was filled with a sense that I would soon be perfect.” alienation “I wish I wasn’t your daughter. I wish you weren’t my mother,” “and after I played them both a few times, I realised they were two halves of the same song” P208“Only you pick that crab. Nobody else take it. I already know this. Everybody else wants best quality. You think differently.” Metaphoric language of “filled”. Italics of the word “perfect” empathises her heart’s desire for perfection. This indicates that Jing-Mei was unhappy with herself as she was; she strived for “perfection”. High modality. Repetition of “I wish” emphasises how much Jing-Mei felt alienated from her mother. Symbolism of the two half of the same song creating a whole - June and her mother were so different yet together they made a whole. family family family P197“my mother gave me my “life’s importance” a jade pendant on a gold chain.” P198 “and I knew by the wonder in his voice that he had no idea what the pendant really meant” Symbolism of the crab. June is selfless and hence leaves the best quality crabs for everybody else. Her mother sees this quality within her, thus showing how well Suyuan knows her daughter and how proud she is of Jing-Mei’s character. Symbolises important aspects of life and what her mother hopes for her daughter. The jade absorbs the energy of the person wearing it – Suyuan gifting her jade to Jing-mei shows how she is giving part of herself to Jing-mei. Jing-Mei does not completely know what her mother meant by the pendant as well as others who have been given a similar pendent by their mothers. YING YING Theme Quotes Techniques & Explanation suffering inner strength family alienation suffering alienation idenity identity alienation “I thought this man had long ago drained everything from my heart. But now something strong and bitter flowed and made me feel another emptiness in a place didn't know was there”p251 “I think this to myself even though I love my daughter. She and I have shared the same body. There is a part of her mind that is part of mine. But when she was born, she sprang from me like a slippery fish, and has been swimming away ever since.” P 242 “ I lived in houses smaller than the one in the country. I wore large American clothes. I did servants’ tasks. I learned the western ways. I tried to speak with a thick tongue. I raised a daughter, watching her from another shore, I accepted her American ways’ “ after the baby died my mother fell apart, not all the once, but piece by piece, like plates falling off a shelf one by one” P112 The imagery used of liquid flowing and being drained, echoes the imagery of water and rivers, swimming and drowning, which is used in telling Ying Ying’s tale of suffering, but here the flowing is of something ‘strong and bitter’ – suggesting that through the suffering, she is gaining strength. “We are lost, she and I, unseen and not seeing, unheard and not hearing, unknown by others” P67 “all these years I kept my true nature hidden, running alone like a small shadow so nobody could catch me. Because I moved so secretly now my daughter does not see me” “All my life, I have watched her as through from another shore. And now I must tell her everything about my past it is the only way to penetrate her skin…” The accumulation of words related to sight and hearing is used to highlight the pain and suffering related to a lack of connectedness and lack of identity. Ying Ying often uses imagery of the sea to describe her relationship with her daughter – here, a simile- “slippery fish” suggests that she is unable to hold onto her daughter and keep her close – she metaphorically “slips” from her and “swims” away. This highlights the lack of connection between mother and daughter - the use of a phrases like ‘servants’ ‘tasks’ shows Ying Ying‘s habits of thinking from a background of privilege which made adapting to life in American difficult. The sea imagery continues. Here Ying Ying watches her daughter who has become a stranger to her – they come from two different places as they have each had such different life experiences this difference is exacerbated by the fact that Ying Ying has not told Lena about the pain of her past. The simile of plates falling suggests the suffering and that the breaking of Ying-Ying’s spirit and identity was a slow, destructive process. Simile is used show how Ying Ying lacked strong identity. The sea imagery continues. Here Ying Ying watches her daughter who has become a stranger to her – they come from 2 different places as the have each had such different lives – life experiences. This difference is exacerbated by the fact that Ying Ying has no told Lena about the pain in her past. She knows that by telling Lena her story, she can “save” her. This idea is not unique in “The Joy Luck Club”; throughout the novel, the mothers insist on the importance of stories not only in guiding their daughters and protecting them from pain, but also in preserving their own memories and hopes, keeping their culture alive and establishing a connection between them. power identity alienation sacrifice identity alienation “ I spoke in a trembly voice. I became pale, ill, and more thin. I let myself become a wounded animal. I let the hunter come to me And turn me into a tiger ghost” p.151 “ I raised a daughter, watching her from another shore “ I will win and give her my spirit because this is the way a mother loves her daughter” “I know a thing before it happens. They sit in a room with no life in it. I know a thing before it happens. She will hear the vase and table crashing to the floor. She will come up the stairs and into my room. Her eyes will see nothing in the darkness, where I am waiting between the trees.” “when my daughter looks at me, she sees a small old lady. That is because she sees only with her outside eyes. She has no chuming, no inside knowing of things..” Sensory imagery – the impact of the truth will effect Lena and will be powerful enough to “penetrate the skin” Through a metaphor, Ying Ying has become subordinated and allows her husband who is metaphorically referred to as a “hunter” to make all the decisions. She has become weak, a victim - “a wounded animal”, to her “hunter” husband - “ a tiger ghost” – suggesting she is a shadow of her former self - lacks belonging to self Ying Ying watched her daughter become a stranger to her; they come from two different places as they have each had such different life and culture experiences. high modality – Ying Ying is certain that she will win the battle – that she will give her daughter strength. Symbolically the shattered vase represented Lena and Harold’s shattered relationship. The use of future tense in the quote highlights the certainty that Ying Ying feels she can predict the future. She knows that by giving Lena her spirit she will develop a stronger spirit and a sense of identity. Authentic language “chuming” shows how Lena is distanced from her mother due to a lack of cultural connection, she sees only the superficial, she doesn’t truly know her mother.
