Gender and Its Relationship with the Joy Luck Club
Summary:
Gender is the prominent theme throughout the Joy Luck Club. It goes through different time periods, generations, different cultures showing that, whether we like it or not, gender shapes our culture and interactions with others.
The Joy Luck Club, is a film that shows a powerful portrayal of four Chinese women and the lives of their children in America. The film presents the conflicting cultures between the United States and China, and how men treat women throughout their lives. People living in the United States usually take for granted their roles as a male or female. The culture of each country shapes the treatment one receives based on the sex of the individual. Gender roles shape this movie and allows people, specifically the United States, to see how gender are so crutcial in othe countries.
There are obvious differences within our two cultures and the way we depict gender roles. These differences show themselves in the work force, the distinct tasks performed in the home, and the privileges one receives in society. In the work force, the women of America hold many positions of importance, relatively speaking (I know that's a whole other essay). They are usually treated as equals with men and there are few jobs from which they are excluded, again for the sake of argument. In China, women are expected to stay at home and are not permitted to be in a work force that is held exclusively for men. They are assigned the role of housewives and must stay at home to clean the house and raise the children. Women in America receive education that will prepare them for the high paying jobs of a professional, all while the women in China are obeying the orders from their husbands and culture. The films portrayal of these particular gender roles are very evident. We can't forget however, that this was a western made film and in my opinion I feel that it tends to exaggerate the gender roles. I'm not saying that they are not present, because there is a definite inequality. I just keep in mind that it is a film and has to have an audience appealing theme.
The film explains the difference between Chinese and American values of gender in marriage and family as well. It clearly shows how Chinese woman is expected to good wives for their chosen husband. Girls are promised at an early age to a man. In the film Aunty Lindo had an arranged marriage when she was only four years old. In an American marriage, it is supposed to be based on a love and connection between two people. Each person is theoretically held accountable for the success of a marriage. This is the prime example of gender role difference in the film. In comparison of the two cultures, the four mothers are thrown in to marriages without any regard to the women. This all because of the way the Chinese culture defines the gender roles of women. One specific example of this is with Lindo Jong.
Lindo Jong, like other women in China, had to maintain absolute obedience to her parents. She explained how much she gave up in order to be dutiful to her parents and we understand that from the line. A lot of Chinese children like her were told to listen to and obey every word their parents said. As a result, Linda lost her freedom to marry, and her freedom to make her own decisions. She basically sacrificed herself because of her culture. Even through she knew she was being degraded, She still kelp her promise to her parents to obey their wishes. For Chinese, keeping promises is very important. If a woman does not keep the promise she makes to her parents, she will be scrutinized and shunned by other(from information and views presented on www.chineseculture.about.com). Although Lindo had no part in making the contract, she had to suffer the results of it. Lindo was sent to marry Tyan-yu because of the obligation held between the two families. If one family broke the contract, they would lose the trust and the friendly bond between the families. Consequently, they would lose the social value, which is highly valued by Chinese people. Chinese care about their image that they present to others (www.chineseculture.net). They like to show their best side to every visitor. Now you my think that any culture, including our own, is one that wants to present themselves nicely to others. But the way in which the Chinese take it, as shown in this movie, well it doesn't compare.
The movie is unique, because it is able to show both the older generations beliefs and values, and the more modern. While the film goes through the generations, it appears as though the women become more equal and are getting to be their own selves. This is apparent in both the mothers and daughters. One seemingly unrealistic and inhumane is the story of the mother that drowned her son, so that she could lose all ties to her husband. Again because of the cultural beliefs instilled in her, that seems like the only logical solution, even though it is her own son. This is something that would be tolerated nor excepted in America. Sadly, because of the social view of the women's gender role, it makes you the audience realize that she is right, and their really is no other choice.
The mothers show how the gender is portrayed and gives a basis on how things were a generation ago. When the story shifts to the daughters, the film tries to show how different the they are from their mothers, when in actuality they are the same. The daughters appear to be very liberal and forceful with their views of equality within gender, but when faced with the traditional role of marriage they turn face. On daughter marries the head of a law firm and they completely split everything down the middle. Or at least it appears that way. Then things begin to change and suddenly this equal marriage becomes male dominated. Their costs are not separated equal, she is paid seven times less than him at their own law firm, and their over all activities revolve around him. She then tries to deny and keep the marriage alive, throwing all of her equality views out the door. Consequently like her mother did. Another example is when one of the other daughters gets married to the American white man. She turns from an opinionated, voice my mind and I don't care what you think to a slave-like wife who only wants to make her husband happy. Both of these "modern" stories depict how that the gender roles now matter how much you think have changed are still established through culture and society. Their mothers were raised like this and it is impossible to completely change everything that society saturates you with.
Gender is the prominent theme through this movie. It goes through different time periods, generations, different cultures showing that, whether we like it or not, gender shapes our culture and interactions with others. Through both the mothers and daughters, their roles as women are established and stay realitivly same. No matter if they try to deny where they are from, the movie proved that they when inherit the gender roles established by their mothers and society. Gender shapes our lives and the ways that humans interact. This is has been proven through history and society. It will not change and the film The Joy Luck Club confirms this reality.
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