This paper offers a perspective on the unique dynamics of migration experienced by Chinese-American families. The medium for this perspective is the experiences of Lindo and Waverly Jong, the mother and daughter characters portrayed in Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club (Putnam, 1989). Lindo is an immigrant from China who found her way to the United States after surviving a flood that separated her from her family, a failed first marriage and war. Waverly is born to Lindo and her second husband Tin Jong in the United States and becomes a national child chess champion as a child.
Political and economic upheaval is the most often-cited reason for people migrating to this country. Typically, the pre-migration framework finds immigrants seeking to avoid persecution, oppression and hunger in their native countries. Once undertaken, the transit stage of the migration process is often lengthy and traumatic. Finally, during the resettlement stage, immigrants are apt to spend much energy simultaneously attempting to be accepted into their new culture and society while holding on to cherished values and customs from their own culture. (Drachman, 1992). When Waverly studies the rules of chess at an early age, Lindo uses the opportunity (although out of context) to teach Waverly that it is critical to learn the rules, because foreigners are not welcome in America unless they live by the American rules.
For Chinese-Americans in particular, migration is difficult because of significant differences in Eastern and Western ways of life and modes of thinking. The Chinese and other Asians value emotional restraint and a dignified image; they are very conscious about not overtly displaying ambition or drawing attention to themselves. The American mode is quite the opposite. (Drachman, 1992).
In the early stages of Waverly's development as a world class chess player Lindo's behavior and parenting style are consistent with the Chinese attributes.