Week 17 The Joy Luck Club- Double Face

Week 17 The Joy Luck Club- Double Face

• Lindo Jong talks about her daughter Waverly wanting to go to China for her second Honeymoon, but she is afraid (p.253).  Waverly was afraid that they think that she was one of them and they will not her go back to the United States. Lindo answers back with attitude “you don’t even need to open your mouth, they already knew you are an outsider. Even if you put on their clothes, take off your make-up and hide your fancy jewelry- they will know” (p.253). Lindo told Waverly that they know you do not belong.
• Lindo was wondering that now her daughter wants to be Chinese. Waverly can only speak little Chinese words. How can she talk to these people in Chinese and how can she blend in. Lindo regrets of not having taught Waverly enough about her Chinese heritage and culture
• Waverly was getting married for the second time and she wants Lindo to have her hair done with Waverly hair stylist- Mr. Rory. Lindo thinks that Waverly wants Lindo to look good at the wedding to impress Rich parents. Waverly and Mr. Rory talk about my hair as if I was not there or do not understand them.
• Lindo talks about how difficult of keeping “Chinese face” in America- her true smile. America for Lindo was attitude of beauty. She thinks that you have the beauty and ugly have the same happiness, the same sadness, the same good fortune, and the same faults (p. 256)
• She remembers her mother talks about her character could lead to good and bad circumstances. Her mother told Lindo that “you are lucky, because you have my ear-full of blessing-but you need to listen to your opportunities” “You have my nose, straight and smooth-a good sign. A girl with crooked nose is bound for misfortune- following the wrong things and people, the worst luck” (p. 257)
• Lindo’s nose got crooked when she bumped her nose on the bus, and she noticed that her daughter Waverly also have crooked nose and she wanted her to have nose surgery but Waverly was happy with her nose- she said “it makes us look devious” -making people know they are two face, but they cannot always tell what they are thinking.

Reference

Tan, Amy (2015) The Joy Luck Club. Penguin Book, London England