Holly Garcia
Kellie Guild
English 11 Honors
30 January 2023
Finding the Best Quality Best Quality, written by Amy Tan, is a heartfelt story of a daughter’s growth through the help of her mother. Jing-Mei Woo, otherwise known as June, has spent the majority of her life being confused about her values and relationship with her mom. However, June lets these difficulties shape her into someone who can recognize love for others and herself. In Best Quality, the theme Amy Tan shows through June is that love and growth can be found in tough places and relationships. At the beginning of the story, June notes that she’s been wondering about the importance her life held ever since her mother passed. As the story progresses, June reveals herself to be a character lacking self-assurance and purpose. Due to these traits, she lets Waverly’s comments influence her
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After the meal, Suyuan explained she knew June wouldn’t take the best crab for herself; while everyone else chooses the best for themselves, Suyuan knew her daughter thinks differently. June is confused by this explanation, it was meant as proof of something good in her, but to her, it sounds both good and bad, and it doesn’t make sense. The story then illustrates Suyuan gifting the necklace, “For a long time, I wanted to give you this necklace. See, I wore this on my skin, so when you put it on your skin, then you know my meaning. This is your life's importance”(Tan 235). The pendant is a key moment in June’s story; her mom is presenting a necklace that she has worn and now it is June’s turn to wear it and take in her mother’s meaning. Because of Suyuan's early words, it is clear her “meaning” is her pride and love towards her daughter. Suyuan is proud because her child chooses others over herself, and that humility is the best quality. Now, June must try to believe in herself as her mother believes in