Guilt is a powerful means of controlling someone else. Parents use it because its often an easy way of controlling their children. In Amy Tans Joy luck club, Junes Mom knew great ways to control her daughter by using guilt. She used guilt because that was the only way she knew. Because she had such a tragic and sometimes even dramatic life, she wanted better for her daughter. Unfortunately, June misinterpreted her mother’ intentions and didn’t realize what her mother was trying to do for her until after her mother died. Parent/child relationships are like seasons of the year. Summer is nice, beautiful and kind much like some parents.

Then we have winter which is not as nice, it gets colder and angrier at people, just like parents get angrier at their children. Then beautiful and warm summer comes back. In the story Junes Mom was like winter, cold and angry at June. She was angry at June for not being obedient, not doing what she told her to, and ruining her reputation in her little circle of friends. This one time Junes Mom basically forced June to take piano lessons, because she wanted June to be prodigy. June did take the lessons , unfortunately she had no other choice. Once they had a show where she was supposed to play or show off as June called it.

Her Mom invited all her friends because she wanted to raise her reputation and show how talented daughter was. June messed up on the song that she was supposed to play. She never forgot or forgave that moment. Her Mom looked so low in the eyes of the other Mothers like poor in the eyes of rich. She never had enough patience with June which is critical for parents to have, to be good parents. June was like summer, kind, caring and warm. From seeing her mother being so angry at life and especially at her, she learned to respect and love others no matter what they did. Once they had a big crab dinner, the whole family was invited.

When they were eating crabs everybody took the first crabs which were the best crabs and June took the last crab. She could grab the first crab which would be the best and the most delicious one, but she choice the smallest and the worst one. This clearly shows that June was a kind well, mannered girl not like all the other people at the table. Guilt is one of the worst feelings a human being might have. Making children feel constant guilt indulges them, and viscious circle is formed, with parents hating their children and children hating their parents. June clearly hated and disrespected her Mom in all ways possible.

The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan, is a portrayal of four Chinese women and the lives of their children in the United States. The book discusses the conflicting cultures between the United States and China, and how men treat women throughout their lives. In the United States we usually take for granted their roles as a male or female. The culture of each country shapes the treatment one receives based on the sex of the individual. There are obvious differences within the different cultures. These differences show themselves in the work force, the distinct tasks performed in the home, and the privilege one receives in society.

At job sites around the US, the women hold many positions of importance. They are usually treated as equals with men and there are few jobs from which they are excluded. In China, women are expected to stay at home and are not permitted to be in a work force that is held exclusively for men. The women of America receive fair wages and have earned the right to work with men. In China, women are assigned the role of housewives and must stay at home to clean the house and raise the children. Women in America receive education’s that will prepare them for well paying jobs in the future.

The women in China are known for taking orders from their husbands. The next difference in China from America is the different roles women take in the home. The author explains that a Chinese woman is expected to be a good wife for her chosen husband. Girls are promised at an early age to a man. The story “The Red Candle” (page 42) shows an arranged marriage where the author sacrificed her life to fulfill her parents’ promise of marriage when she was only two years old. At the wedding the candle is lit at both ends and if neither end goes out it will be a successful marriage.

Of course, the woman was the one held responsible for making the marriage a successful one. In an American marriage, each sex is held accountable for the success of a marriage. There are no arranged marriages and no matchmakers as in the Chinese culture. Marriage is expected to be for love not to fulfill promises between families. Even though the book kept talking about women and culture differences I thought it was all right. I now the book is based on females and how the cultures differ, but I still thought it was a good book to read.