連接

Question: What is Amy Tan’s purpose behind the introduction to the second section? What thematic elements, characterization, or plot foreshadowing connect it to the stories that follow, particularly “Rules of the Game” and “Voice from the War”?

First and foremost, the introductory piece of the second section implies that the American- raised child cannot ride her bicycle around the corner because she would undergo an accident when she is not insight her mother. The mother explains that a book titled The Twenty-six Malignant Gates, particulars the dangers that can transpire her child when she is away from the protection of her home. Her daughter cannot read the book because it is written in Chinese, and her mother would not tell her the danger. The daughter became anger, and quickly rushes away on her bicycle. And before you know it, she falls just before she reaches the corner.

The introductory relates to both, “Rules of the Game” and “The Voice of the Walls”

In “Rules of the Game” told by Waverly Jong, relates to the introduction when Jong’s mother tells her daughter to follow what she says although it did not make sense, “As she [Waverly] wiped each piece with a soft cloth, she [her mother] said,

“Next time win more, lose less.” Waverly says, “Ma, it’s not about how many pieces you lose…sometimes you need to lose pieces to get ahead.” [Her mother] says, “Better to lose less, see if you really need,” (97).

This demonstrates that although Waverly’s explanation was clearly valid, her mother knew what she said was accurate. The mothers comment relates to introductory piece because she entails that if Waverly does not follow her direction, then she would lose. Also, her mother does not provide an explicit explanation why she wants her to “win more, [and] lose less”. Similarly to the introduction where her mother informs her daughter about The Twenty-six Malignant Gates, but does not present what the book specifically illustrates. Furthermore, these events also relate to a typical American mother saying: Do what I say, or else.

Another story that relates to the introduction is “The Voice of the Walls”, told by Lena St. Clair. Lena’s mother is very cautious. She worry’s about everything, which make her awkwardly dissimilar. When Lena and her mother where together, her mother quickly said,

“ ‘Don’t look at her,’ said her mother as we walked through Chinatown in Oakland.  She had grabbed my hand and pulled me close to her body,” (105).

This proves that Lena’s mother is very cautions. When them mother grabbed her hand and pulled Lena close to her body, it demonstrates affection, but also a significant amount of protection. Accordingly, this also relates to the introduction. When the mother says, “because then I cannot see and you will fall down and cry and I will not hear you,” (87) illustrates that her mother is jumping to conclusion. It appears that her mother gives the impression that if she is not watching her daughter, then it is her fault that she got hurt. And to prevent this to develop, she tells her daughter to listen to her, otherwise she would cause dangers, and her mother would blame herself (hope this is clear).

In view this, “Rules of the Game” and “ The Voice of the Walls” provide explicit examples that relate to the introduction.