The Inevitable Inheritance:

Abstract

One of the masterpieces in Chinese American Literature is Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club (1989). It explores the relationship between the mothers and their daughters who are struggling to reach balance between two worlds. This thesis analyzes the psychology of female characters as affected by oppression, patriarchy and linguistic barriers. It aims at explaining how the Chinese past of the mothers inevitably overlaps with the American present of the daughters and how storytelling can connect them after a long time of cultural clash and trials to neglect the other. Such connection enables the daughters to reconcile with their Chinese heritage. At last, they can reach a sense of self and accept their hybrid identity.