What metaphors are used in Rules of the Game by Amy Tan?

Tan's narrator, Waverly Jong, is forced throughout the story to discover exactly what game she is playing, and what rules she must follow in order to succeed. Her chess playing becomes a metaphor for her struggle with her greatest opponent, her own Chinese mother.

One of the biggest metaphors in Rules of the Game is the chess game itself. The way Waverly learns chess and plans her moves is basically a reflection of how she deals with her mother and with life in general. The strategies she learns in chess - thinking ahead, staying calm, and hiding your intentions - mirror the way she starts handling conflicts with her mom. In that sense, the chessboard becomes more than just a game; it represents the power struggle between them and the pressure Waverly feels growing up.