Invisible Strength: Rules Of The Game By Amy Tan

Natalie Chu
Prof. Harty
Eng 2150
October 24th, 2015 “The Art of Invisible Strength”
“Wise guy, he not go against wind. In Chinese we say, Come from South, blow with wind--poom!--North will follow. Strongest wind cannot be seen.” (Tan 497). In Rules of the Game by Amy Tan, Waverly Jong’s mother expresses this to her in hopes that she would learn the “art of invisible strength,” which was a strategy for winning arguments and respect from others (Tan 497). Tan successfully illustrates the way of Chinese parenting and the frustration a Chinese child often experiences. As the interaction between mother and daughter becomes tense, Tan seems to convey the mother’s message-- “the art of invisible strength” a very understandable Chinese way of

Tan provides a vivid description of the neighborhood, “At the end of our two-block alley was a small sandlot playground with swings...bordered by wood-slat benches...old-country people sat cracking roasted watermelon seeds...The best playground, however, was the dark alley itself.” (Tan 498). This imagery immediately paints the picture of a hustling town where the Chinese live out their daily routines. Even nowadays in Chinatown, it’s not hard to imagine it exactly like what Tan describes, this allows the readers to fully engage themselves into the reading, making a special connection specifically with readers of Chinese background. Furthermore, in the beginning of the story, Waverly’s mother scolded her with “Bite back your tongue.” (Tan 497) In fact, this phrase seems to appear throughout the story. For instance, when Waverly wanted the salted plums (Tan 497); and when she wanted to play in a local chess tournament despite knowing her mother’s disapproval (Tan 504). To “bite back your tongue,” seems to represent the “invisible strength,” Mrs. Jong gives the hint that if Waverly learns to not actually voice out her desires, then eventually Waverly will get what she wants. Essentially, it’s a form of self-discipline. As her mother, Mrs. Jong seems to know her daughter’s thoughts very well despite telling her to “bite back her tongue.” She fulfills her daughter’s wishes by eventually buying