Joy Luck Club

907 Words4 Pages
Compare and Contrasts of the Generations From generation to generation there are many beliefs and customs that are different and others that are similar. This occurs everywhere in the world; however, there were many obvious customs that changed in the novel by Amy Tan. In The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan’s novel, there were also many differences between the two generations of women. Their differences ranged from where they had problems with men and how they each lived their lives to how they responded to certain situations. The similarities between the older and younger generations were as simple as being the same ethnicity and as complicated as having trouble with men. There are many differences between the two generations; however, the two most relevant were how they deal with situations. Also, how their past lives play a constant role in their confidence. The younger generations life was much more laid back and easier, for their parents did as much as they could for them. "In America I will have a daughter just like me. But over there nobody will say her worth is measured by the loudness of her husband's belch. Over there nobody will look down on her, because I will make her speak only perfect American English" (3). This is extremely different from the older generation because when they were kids they were very independent and could not rely on their parents for help and support. A huge difference between the two generations is how outspoken they are. The younger generation had a much better life, which gave them more confidence to speak up and not be afraid. “I was raised the Chinese way: I was taught to desire nothing, to swallow other peoples misery” (241). The younger generation also is not afraid to speak their mind. “That was what people did back then. They had no choice. They could not speak up” (272). The older generation was raised in such a way that
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