Parental Control vs. Guidance in Amy Tans The Joy Luck Club :: Joy Luck Club Essays

Parental Control vs. Guidance in Joy Luck Club The figment, Joy Luck Club, by Amy erythema solare describes the struggle between a dominate let who tries to protect her daughter, Ni kan, from the devastating losses that she suffered by convincing her that she might become anyone she wants to be. Ni kan re moves her mothers declare and wishes only to be herself. The author clearly illustrates in this novel that parents cannot control their childrens spicys they can only guide them in the right forethought and let them make their own decisions. First of all, Amy Tan shows that Ni kans mother attempted to dominate and control her daughters life. The mother does this by telling Ni kan that . . . you can be prodigy, too (Tan 491) and insisting that she work toward this goal. Ni kan is then sent down a path of endless tests and lessons. These include tests on capitals of the states multiplying numbers game in her head finding the queen of hearts in a deck of cards trying to sta nd on her head without victimization her hands predicting the daily temperatures in Los Angeles, New York, and London and looking at a page from the Bible for three minutes and reporting everything that she remembers (Tan 492). Although Ni kan quickly loses interest of her mothers dream of being a prodigy, her mother persists. She arranges for Ni kan to take gentle lessons. Her mother does not ask her if she wants to play the piano or to explore another art form. She arranges a complete enumeration of lessons and practices that take over not only her daughters physical existence besides also dominate Ni kans thoughts for most of her free time. Her mother wants to control not only her actions but also her dreams and aspirations, and she will not birth disobedience. She clearly says that Only one kind of daughter can live in this house. Obedient daughter (Tan 497). Amy Tan shows that Ni kan resents her mothers decisions and resists her control. After more failed tests in know ledge and skills, Ni kan asserts to herself, I wont let her change me. . . (Tan 492). This clearly shows a child resisting parental domination and control. The piano lessons evokes a resolution of ...I felt like I was being sent to hell (Tan 493).