Amy Tan's 'Rules of the Game' is also about the art of strategy. Chess is all about strategy, and Waverly learns to think several steps ahead. This ability to strategize in the game gives her confidence in her own intelligence. However, she also realizes that in the game of life, especially within her family, the rules are not as clear - cut as in chess. Her mother's constant presence and influence are like an invisible hand guiding or sometimes hindering her moves. The story makes us think about how we navigate different 'rules' in different areas of our lives, whether it's family, society, or personal goals.
The story 'Rules of the Game' by Amy Tan is about a young girl named Waverly who becomes a chess prodigy. The rules of chess in the story symbolize the unspoken rules in life. Waverly has to learn not only the rules of the game of chess but also the rules of her family and her cultural heritage. Tan uses vivid descriptions to bring the characters and their situations to life. We can see how Waverly's mother's traditional Chinese values clash with Waverly's more American - influenced ideas. This conflict is at the heart of the story and makes it a fascinating exploration of cultural identity.
In 'Rules of the Game', the theme of identity is also present. Waverly is trying to figure out who she is. Is she the obedient Chinese daughter her mother wants her to be? Or is she the independent, self - made American success story? Her chess - playing is a part of this identity - seeking process. The cultural clash also affects her identity. She has to navigate between the traditional Chinese values of her family and the more liberal American values around her. And the mother - daughter relationship further complicates this identity formation as her mother's expectations constantly shape and reshape how Waverly sees herself.
The main character is Waverly Jong. She is a young Chinese - American girl who becomes interested in and very good at chess. Her mother is also an important character. She has a strong influence on Waverly, with her own ideas about how Waverly should behave and what she should achieve.
Well, there's the theme of competition. Chess is all about competition, and this reflects in the girl's life. She has to compete in a male - dominated field of chess. And there's also the theme of growing up. Through her experiences in chess and with her mother, the girl grows from a naive child to a more self - aware young woman. This growth is not without its pains, as she has to face many obstacles both on the chessboard and in her relationship with her mother.
Amy Tan's short stories often explore themes of cultural identity. Her stories are set in the context of Chinese - American experiences. For example, in 'Two Kinds', she shows the complex relationship between a mother and daughter within a bicultural family. The mother, having immigrated from China, has high hopes for her daughter in America, which leads to a series of conflicts as the daughter tries to assert her own identity.
One key element is the relationship between the characters. For example, the family relationships play a big role. Another element is the cultural context which shapes the characters' behaviors. Also, the concept of competition and how it affects the characters is important.
Well, 'Two Kinds' is a story full of emotion. The mother wants her daughter to be great, like those child prodigies she sees. So she makes the daughter take piano lessons. But the daughter hates it at first. She doesn't see the point. There's this big conflict. As the story progresses, we see how both characters change. The daughter realizes that her mother's actions were out of love, in a way. And the mother also realizes that she can't force her daughter to be something she's not. It's a very relatable story about family and self - discovery.