Joy Luck Club Quotes

The Joy Luck Club”

Summer Reading Assignment

Jazmin Navarro

Thematic Topic: Sacrifice

Quote: “And then I saw her pull up her sleeve and pull out a sharp knife. She put this knife on the softest part of her arm. And then my mother ct a piece of meat from her arm. Tears poured from her face and blood spilled to the floor. My mother took her flesh and put it in the soup...I could see the pain of the flesh and the worth of the pain.” (Page 48)

Explanation: This quote demonstrates the topic of physical sacrifice. An-mei’s mother came back to see Popo, even though Popo believed that she was a terrible person. She sacrifices her own flesh in order to honor her mother. She believes the pain is nothing compared to her obligation to Popo. She sacrifices her skin and in return

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. I threw my head back and smiled proudly to myself. And then I draped the large embroidered red scarf over my face and covered these thoughts up. But underneath the scarf I knew who I was.” (Page 58)

Explanation: This quote demonstrates a woman finding her true identity even through the darkest times of her life. Lindo Jong, has promised her parents to be a good wife to Tyan-yu in order to preserve the honor of her family. When she moved into the Huangs’ household she faced a lot of abuse from the family, which led her to question her identity and who she truly was. The quote above, presents an example of strength. Since she was a child, her life and identity were given to a boy that would become her husband. Instead of letting her identity be polluted with pain, anger, and sadness, she finds the will to remind herself of who she truly is. On the day of their wedding, Lindo marries Tyan-yu knowing she is strong, pure and valuable human being who deserves