Pride And Honor

            Parents have always wanted what was best for their children. It is only natural for them to want to give their children a good life, but sometimes, they do not realize what hatred their children are building for them because of so much pressure. The root of so much pressure is commonly set back to those of the parents' past. If the parent had not accomplished something in their childhood, they would try to enforce it on their children. In Amy Tan's novel "The Joy Luck Club", four mothers use such tactics to gain things they never could have: honor, pride, and respect. (5/103).
             Honor has been a significant value among Asian cultures. Children have been strictly raised to honor their elders, and no matter how far off track the children may wander, those same values will still remain. For example, one-day An-mei's mother decided to stay at this house where she was invited. Sadly enough though, she was raped. She ended up pregnant and An-mei's grandmother wouldn't accept her at home. She was seen as if she was dishonorable, and because of her misfortune, she would bring the rest of her family's honor down with her. No one would accept her into their home besides the house where the whole problem had occurred so she returned to that very same house. Left with the loss of her mother's love and the empty feeling when she gave her little newborn boy away. The cost for a roof over her head was high. It was one of the most valuable things in life, a child, her little boy. In addition, An-mei's mother has been looked upon as the worst daughter in her household. So badly that she got disowned. Her mother holds strong hatred for her and lives in disappointment of her daughter. However, it is ironic that as her mother lays in bed ill, An-Mei's mother is willing to give her own flesh for her mother's well being. No matter how much her mother had despised her, she still had kept in depth with her values and morals taught by the same woman who hates her now.