Waverly Jong's 'Rules Of The Game'

In “Rules of the Game,” the author directs her focus on the strained relationship between an immigrant mother and her daughter born in America but of intense Chinese background. The narrator, Waverly Jong describes her encounter at the marketplace with her mom; who taught her the art of invincible strength. She explains how her mother termed it as a strategy for winning arguments, respect from others stating that the strongest wind never meets the eye. This lesson proves pivotal in Jong’s spectacular chess expeditions that saw her crowned national champion as well as defined the latter`s relationship with her mother, whom she often saw as an opponent. Jong becomes entrapped in her conflicting environments, forcing her to adjust accordingly to both her physical and social environment. Jong’s family of five resided on Waverly Place in San Francisco’s China town on a warm, clean two bedroom house that sat above a small Chinese bakery (Tan). She further describes a sandlot playground located at the end of their two block alley,

Her mother, who was supportive; wished her children to “rise above” especially her last born Mei Mei (Tan 50). Unfortunately, she was ignorant of her daughters stand. It is her mother`s words that helped Jong orchestrate her chess strategies. “The knight came forward for the sacrifice, the wind hissed louder and louder, blow, blow, he`s bind now he cannot see. A wind was blowing through my ears whispering secrets only I could hear” (Tan 53). Her mother`s words were vital for her success. Contrastively, her mother, was unimpressed by the number of pieces she would lose before defeating the opponent. She tried explaining herself to no avail, saying its part of the strategy as long as you corner your enemy, her mother, shunned her and instead repeated the same deed at the next tournament. An angered Jong more often than not felt her mom was getting in her