Critic's Review:
Many critics have asserted that although the characters in The Joy Luck Club are Chinese-American, their struggles have a strong resonance for all people, especially women raised in America. Reviewers have studied the novel from a variety of angles and have generally agreed that the book presents a poignant, insightful examination of not only the generation gap between mothers and daughters, but of the gaps between different cultures as well. Critics have argued that the book works as an exploration of the issues that are vital to all immigrants in America—including ethnicity, gender, and personal identity. Some reviewers have identified the mother-daughter relationships in the book as part of a growing tradition of matrimonial discourse that is becoming ever more popular in America. Others have lauded the multiple perspectives presented in the novel, citing the work's multiple viewpoints as a unique strength that invites analysis on several levels. One critic has even analyzed the fable-like qualities of The Joy Luck Club, interpreting it as a modern-day fairy tale. Although several reviewers have argued that the novel presents stereotypical portrayals of China and of Chinese people, many critics feel that it addresses important universal issues and themes—common to all, despite their age, race, or nationality.
Many critics have asserted that although the characters in The Joy Luck Club are Chinese-American, their struggles have a strong resonance for all people, especially women raised in America. Reviewers have studied the novel from a variety of angles and have generally agreed that the book presents a poignant, insightful examination of not only the generation gap between mothers and daughters, but of the gaps between different cultures as well. Critics have argued that the book works as an exploration of the issues that are vital to all immigrants in America—including ethnicity, gender, and personal identity. Some reviewers have identified the mother-daughter relationships in the book as part of a growing tradition of matrimonial discourse that is becoming ever more popular in America. Others have lauded the multiple perspectives presented in the novel, citing the work's multiple viewpoints as a unique strength that invites analysis on several levels. One critic has even analyzed the fable-like qualities of The Joy Luck Club, interpreting it as a modern-day fairy tale. Although several reviewers have argued that the novel presents stereotypical portrayals of China and of Chinese people, many critics feel that it addresses important universal issues and themes—common to all, despite their age, race, or nationality.
I agree with the critics' point of view towards the book, The Joy Luck Club. I agree with the critics' point of view because this book did display a good idea of the generation gap between mothers and daughter, and the gap through cultures. This book displayed the gap between a daughter and mother's generation because in the book many of the mother and daughters disagreed with one another. For example, the story of Waverly Jong's childhood replicates the generation gap between her and her mother. Lindo Jong was set into a loveless marriage that her parents had set her up with when she was at a young age; however she was not happy in this marriage and she wanted to escape it. When she Lindo Jong moved to America she had her daughter Waverly, who had become a chess champion when she was young. However, when Waverly grew up she fell in love with a man named Rich; Rich was not Chinese, he was American. The gap between Waverly and Lindo is shown because Waverly has fallen in love with someone who is not Chinese and does not know the Chinese customs that well. Lindo, however, does not approve of this because Rich is not aware of the Chinese traditions, and she wanted her daughter to marry a Chinese man.