The Joy Luck Club
An-Mei Hsu: Magpies
Directions: As you read through the chapter, annotate the text for germane themes, craft, and
global issues. Then, answer each of the following questions in at least 3-4 concise sentences,
making sure to include a proper citation for ALL quotes.
PLEASE DO NOT RESEARCH THESE ONLINE!
CHALLENGE YOUR INTELLECT AND DO THE WORK YOURSELF!
1. As a refresher, briefly summarize what happened in An-Mei Hsu’s previous chapter, “Scar,” as
well as what is currently happening in Rose Hsu Jordan’s chapters:
In Scar An-Mei primarily shows her relationship with her mother and how she had left when she
was young to marry a rich man after her father had died. Their family shunned her mother, not
letting An-Mei see her for years after the scandal, causing a damaging relationship with her
mother. Eventually her mother returns and with the death of An-Mei’s grandmother she realizes
that despite this rift with her mother nothing can separate their relationship. For An-Mei’s
daughter Rose her chapters explore deep into her inner struggles that are rooted in her childhood
trauma. When Rose was young her little brother died on a family trip to the beach and Rose was
unable to stop him from jumping in the water. She was so petrified that she was incapable of
even calling for help and this hesitation is also seen in her adult life. In Rose’s marriage she
wouldn’t speak up about what made her uncomfortable and it eventually led her marriage to fail.
2. Investigate two Global Issues related to A Doll’s House within the chapter (one can easily be
found within the first five pages!). For each one, specify the specific category, the specific issue,
a direct quote with brief analysis, and a clear connection to ADH.
A. Culture: In this chapter one of the prevalent issues deals with the financial dependence
women have on men. An-Mei’s mom is obviously unhappy with her situation in Wu
Tsing’s house, but is unable to escape with her daughter because she has no way to
support herself. Her mother’s dependence on him is clearly shown when she claims that
he “has promised” them a “house of their own” as a payment for the son she gave him
(263). This is similar to what Nora dealt with in A Doll’s House when she was looked
down upon for providing for her family instead of solely depending on her husband.
B. Identity/Justice: Unfortunately for An-Mei’s mother she had to go through a horrible
experience in becoming Wu Tsing’s concubine. Throughout this chapter An-Mei clearly
notices her mother’s unhappiness and once she learns the truth she finally understands
why her mother is so depressed at times. Her mother “cried in her room so often” because
of the constant pain that she had to endure, especially since she had a daughter to support
(269). This shows how women during this time often had to suffer in silence and couldn’t
speak out against the head of the household. In A Doll’s House this is also seen through
Nora’s unhappiness throughout her marriage which is seen as irrelevant in her role as a
mother and obedient wife.
3. Closely read the paragraph placed directly in the middle of the chapter, starting with: “And so,
while everything seemed peaceful…” (Tan 228--in my copy). Discuss at least two intentional
elements of craft within this short paragraph and what Tan is accomplishing with each one;
weave in direct quotes for support as needed.
Tan uses tone within the paragraph to convey the sense of dread that she experienced at such a
young age. While her mother had taken her to a new and nice place away from her strict
grandmother, An-Mei couldn’t but feel “uncomfortable” and as if “something terrible was going
to happen” (257). Tan also uses imagery to further portray this by showing how the terror she felt
in this new place was similar to “the Japanese bombs” that fell and knowing how “what was
coming was unstoppable” (257). This impending doom that she felt didn’t have an explanation
but she could tell that the situation her mother was in wasn’t exactly right.
4. Examine at least two symbols and/or motifs within the chapter (other than the turtle and
magpies), providing a direct quote for each, as well as supporting analysis that explains how they
support a main theme.
A. Fake pearl necklace- When the Second Wife gives An-Mei a pearl necklace her mother
knows she can’t be well intentioned. To prove this, her mother steps on the shoe revealing
a “bead of crushed glass” making An-Mei realize the deception and shame brought on by
the Second Wife (261). This necklace symbolizes how easily people can deceive others
through veiled kindness and materialism.
B. Opium- The First Mother is often seen using her opium pipe to achieve her peaceful state
in a house filled with her most painful memories. An_mei describes as a “living ghost”
who would “remain in her bedroom” for the time that she had to visit Wu Tsing (261,
262). The Second Wife would also use the First Wife’s pain to manipulate her into a
submissive state by “offering her more opium” in order to drain away her “power” (268).
The opium symbolizes how severe trauma can often be so damaging that people can’t
build up dependencies to distract them from their pain and shame.
5. Tan purposefully implements anaphora in the entire vignette starting with: “In truth, this was
a bad thing…” (Tan 237--in my copy). Analyze the intentional effect that this creates for the
reader and a theme that she supports in doing so.
In this passage Tan uses the repeating phrase “I saw” to show the realization that her younger
self experienced once she truly knew the story of her mother in this household (268). When Yan
Chang told her the truth An-Mei unfortunately was able to understand how horrible the Second
Wife was and why her mother acted as she did. The use of anaphora is to show how children are
often shielded from the discomfort world in order to prevent them from pain but they are also
very intuitive and able to realize the intensity of serious issues.
6. After having read the entire chapter, analyze the symbolic meaning of both turtles and
magpies and how they support Tan’s main theme. Use two direct quotes for support.
The symbolic meaning of the turtles is meant to show how enabling yourself to be consumed by
grief allows others to monopolize and take advantage. An-Mei’s mother knows this especially
well from her own experience and warns her daughter that the “turtle feeds on her thoughts” by
consuming her misery and eventually turning it into magpies (243). The magpies that come from
the turtle symbolize the advantage that is taken from weakness and turned into happiness.
An-Mei tries to learn this lesson when she realizes that “tears do not wash away [her] sorrows”
but only “feed someone else’s joy” (244).
7. Last, based on your answer to the previous question, analyze the final vignette of the chapter
and discuss An-Mei’s main point in sharing this anecdote from the Chinese news article:
In the last vignette the peasants rise up against the magpies not allowing them to take advantage
of their suffering. Instead they gathered together and finally stopped the years of torment they
endured in order to feed themselves and their families. This goes back to the lesson she is trying
to teach her daughter which is to show her to take control of her grief and help herself to get
better. In this article the peasants finally didn’t let themselves be manipulated, similarly to what
An-Mei’s mother did for her and took hold of their own life and opportunities.
