Character Analysis: The Bean Trees By Barbara Kingsolver

Characteristics of having a beneficial relationship

If there wasn't any type of distinction between a positive and negative characteristic in a relationship, the connection between two people could be ruined. In order to have a mutually beneficial relationship, there should be some characteristics to follow. In the novel The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, Taylor Greer escapes a small town life to embark on a journey. She went through high school by avoiding pregnancy and getting herself a job working at a hospital. After she saves herself enough money, she decides to go on a journey in an old Volkswagen bug that she bought, and drive until her car runs out of battery. In the short story “Rules of the Game” by Amy Tan, Waverly

In the short story “Rules of the Game” by Amy Tan, Waverly Jong’s mother is unsupportive of Waverly’s dream to pursue chess. Waverly Jong explains to us that she was only six years old when her mother taught her “the art of invisible strength,” a strategy for winning arguments and gaining respect from others in games. Waverly and her two brothers love on Waverly Place in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Waverly’s brother received a chess set at the Baptist Church Christmas party. Waverly immediately took interest in the game. One day, Waverly’s mother took interest in her passion for chess so she decides she would go and see her play. “My mother joined the crowd during the outdoor exhibition games. She sat proudly on the bench, telling my admirers with proper Chinese humility” (Tan, “Rules of the Game”). Waverly’s mother is finally supporting Waverlys dream of playing chess after much persuasion. Likewise in a similar scene, an old man suggested that Waverly’s mother allow her to play with him. At first Waverly was curious as to why a stranger would want to play with her, but she gave in and looked at her mom for a sign of approval. Waverly narrates: “A man who watched me play in the park suggested that my mother allow me to play in local chess tournaments. My mother smiled graciously” ( Tan, “Rules of the Game”). Waverly’s mother allows her to go and play chess with an old man showing that

In the story “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan, Jing-mei’s mother thinks America is the Land of Opportunity. She has high hopes that her daughter will become a prodigy. She is not yet sure what her daughter's talents is, but she tries multiple careers to lead her down a successful path. First, Mrs.Woo tries to form her into an actress, but that doesn't work, so she tries to intellectually challenge her by taking small test excerpts from popular magazines she stole from her housecleaning job, but that idea also fails. She finally decides that she will trade housecleaning services for Jing-Mei’s piano lessons from Mr. Chong, an elderly piano teacher who is deaf and eyes are too weak to tell when Jing-Mei is playing the wrong notes. One day, Jing-Mei’s family and Waverly’s family meet and both mothers brag about how their daughters are very successful. After seeing her mom brag about her non-existent talents, Jing-Mei is determined to stand in the way of her mother's ambitions. A few weeks later, Jing-Mei participates in a talent show at a church hall, although she hasn't practiced and does not know any of the music. Halfway through the song, she realizes how badly she’s playing. The weak applause and her parents’ look of disappointment revealed the indisputable truth: Jing-Mei is not a musical prodigy. Jing-Mei narrates: “But my