Summary Of Can Allies Be Opponents

In the story, “Can Allies be Opponents?” by Amy Tan, Waverly and her mother’s opposing points of view contribute to the conflict of the story because Waverly wants to use her knowledge of chess to become a better person and smarter, while on the other hand, her mother wants to use Waverly’s knowledge of chess to boast and feel proud about her. Waverly had learned from both her mother and Lau Po had taught Waverly to be quiet, and strong. However, Lau Po’s instructions had the best impact on her. Lau Po had taught Waverly to never boast and to always be humble, no matter the circumstances. In the text, it states, “There were also the fine points of chess etiquette. Keep captured men in neat rows, as well-tended prisoners. Never announce “Check” with vanity, lest someone with an unseen sword slit your throat.

All of the etiquettes that Lau Po taught Waverly were to always be humble, never to boast, and never to think of herself as better than others. These teachings, however, opposed the mother’s point of view. The mother’s point of view was that she had a very smart daughter and felt very proud. The mother wanted everyone to know that Waverly was her daughter. In the text on page 241, it states, “My mother would proudly walk with me, visiting many shops, buying very little. “This my daughter Wave-ly Jong,” she said to whoever looked her way. One day, after we left a shop I said under my breath, “I wish you wouldn’t do that, telling everybody I’m your daughter,’” (Tan). What Waverly means by this is when her mother goes everywhere saying that Waverly is her daughter, Waverly feels ashamed. She feels ashamed because Waverly was taught to always be humble and never to boast, yet then her own mother boasts about her. This trait of the mother could have triggered a conflict between them, and it