Topic > "Rules of the Game": The Importance of Staying Strong “Rules of the Game,” Amy Tan reveals the importance of staying strong even when you are not expected to succeed Meimei's mother teaches her daughter "the art of invisible strength" (497), instilling in her the value of. remain silent. He explains to Meimei how "'the strongest wind cannot be seen'" (497), using symbolism to represent the advantage Meimei can gain over her opponents in chess and in life by focusing on challenging low expectations through inner strength. Say no to plagiarism Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned”? Get an original essay According to Perrine, a symbol is an object, action, or character “that means more than that that suggests on the surface" (216). ). The wind is an invisible force, but it makes its presence known. Meimei's mother encourages her daughter to be like the wind, to maintain her strength even if no one expects anything from her. However, this advice also applies to the Jongs' lives as Chinese immigrants. Breaking Cultural Norms in the “Rules of the Game” Amy Tan explores the importance of exceeding expectations and breaking cultural norms by using symbolism to compare the position of immigrants to that of Meimei. chess games. When the Chinese immigrants enter the United States, the judge says, “'Too bad, go back'” (502), but does not tell them why. In life, it is “better… [to find out] why [on your own]” (502). Meimei's mother is teaching her daughter to be independent and seek answers to her questions on her own instead of relying on others. The idea of strength that Meimei's mother refers to is not physical. Instead, it is the will within oneself that helps one overcome challenges and face difficulties with confidence. Meimei doesn't have to be the best known or appear the toughest. She just needs to have a strong will and be determined not to let expectations determine her destiny. Meimei's mother wants her daughter to understand that it is a “shame [to fall]” (504) without being pushed. “Falling” symbolizes giving up strength and losing, referring to chess games and life in general. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay By encouraging his daughter to stand tall, he is conveying the idea that Meimei should maintain her strength, especially when others underestimate her. Because her family are Chinese immigrants and therefore considered incompetent by the rest of society, Meimei's mother does not want these cultural norms to influence her daughter's success. By connecting the proverbs to Meimei's chess games, Amy Tan conveys the importance of strength despite society's low expectations. Works Cited Tan, Amy. "Rules of the game." The Joy Luck Club, Vintage Books, 1989, pp. 497-504. Perrine, Laurence. Literature: structure, sound and meaning. 9th edition, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers, 1987.
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