Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was Jing-mei's mother's initial dream for her daughter?
What was Jing-mei's mother's initial dream for her daughter?
Jing-mei felt excited about taking piano lessons from Mr. Chong.
Jing-mei felt excited about taking piano lessons from Mr. Chong.
False
What nickname did Jing-mei give to her piano teacher?
What nickname did Jing-mei give to her piano teacher?
Old Chong
Jing-mei's mother agreed to __________ in exchange for piano lessons for her daughter.
Jing-mei's mother agreed to __________ in exchange for piano lessons for her daughter.
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Match the following characters with their relationships
Match the following characters with their relationships
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What was one of Old Chong's main lessons to Jing-mei?
What was one of Old Chong's main lessons to Jing-mei?
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Jing-mei was confident about her performance throughout the talent show.
Jing-mei was confident about her performance throughout the talent show.
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What was the title of the piece Jing-mei was supposed to learn for the talent show?
What was the title of the piece Jing-mei was supposed to learn for the talent show?
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Jing-mei's mother bragged that their problem was __________ than Auntie Lindo's.
Jing-mei's mother bragged that their problem was __________ than Auntie Lindo's.
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Match the following characters with their corresponding traits:
Match the following characters with their corresponding traits:
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Study Notes
Jing-mei's Mother's Aspirations
- Jing-mei's mother believes in the American Dream, encouraging her daughter to aspire for greatness.
- She initially envisions Jing-mei as a movie star, inspired by actress Shirley Temple, leading to a drastic haircut.
Shifts in Expectations
- The mother encourages Jing-mei to study and be tested on various subjects but abandons this when her performance falters.
- After a hiatus, an appearance by a young Chinese piano prodigy on The Ed Sullivan Show rekindles her ambitions for Jing-mei.
Piano Lessons and Struggles
- Jing-mei's mother engages Mr. Chong, a retired music teacher, in exchange for cleaning his apartment, despite her daughter's reluctance.
- Jing-mei expresses frustration and resistance, crying out against her mother’s high expectations, claiming she's not a genius and doesn't want fame.
Old Chong's Teaching Style
- Jing-mei nicknames her teacher Old Chong and begins piano lessons despite his deafness, which hinders her progress.
- Old Chong employs a unique teaching technique, filled with enthusiasm, but Jing-mei struggles to keep up, often playing nonsensically.
Comparisons and Pressures
- During a conversation with family friend Lindo Jong, Jing-mei’s mother brags about her daughter's supposed musical talent compared to Lindo's chess prodigy daughter, Waverly.
- The pressure intensifies as Old Chong organizes a talent show where Jing-mei is expected to perform.
The Talent Show Performance
- Jing-mei practices a piece titled "Pleading Child" but is more focused on her appearance than her musical skill during the performance.
- Anxiety takes over during her performance, resulting in multiple wrong notes, leaving her feeling embarrassed despite Old Chong's enthusiasm.
Post-Performance Reflection
- After the performance, Jing-mei experiences shame as silence fills the room except for Old Chong's encouragement.
- The story underscores the tension between parental expectations and a child's self-identity, along with the impact of cultural values on personal aspirations.
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Description
Explore the themes and character development in 'The Joy Luck Club'. This quiz focuses on Jing-mei's relationship with her mother and the cultural expectations in America. Test your understanding of the story's messages about identity and aspiration.
