Reconstruction Of Cultural Identity Of The Chinese American Mothers In Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club

The Joy Luck Club written by Chinese American writer Amy Tan in 1989,is a product of American Feminist Movement during 1970 s.The novel depicts the daily life of four mother-daughter pairs of Chinese immigrant families,including mothers' misfortunes in China,their challenges in America,and the estrangement between mothers and daughters.Based on the theory of cultural identity(Hall,1990),the thesis aims to analyze Chinese mothers' awareness and exploration of cultural identity,as well as their achievement of identity reconstruction.Furthermore,with postmodern feminist concept of the geographics of identity(Friedman,1996),the research further discusses the characteristics of the reconstructed identity which comes into being from the mixture of Chinese culture and American culture.The findings are as follows:Firstly,Chinese mothers' settlement of identity dilemma and their reconstruction of cultural identity is an achievement of cultural balance that evolves from numerous clashes and compromises.The adjustment to American life and the acceptance of American culture provides practical foundation for their identity reconstruction.As the theory of cultural identity suggests,Chinese women should recognize the cultural difference and the plasticity of cultural identity.They are expected to regard the identity reconstruction as a means of expressing their personal intention in American society.Secondly,Chinese mothers' reconstructed cultural identity features fluidity,diversity and inclusivity.Social life is a reflection of culture,hence,the paper associates their identity reconstruction with local American daily life so as to study how dual cultures influence identity construction.In light of the geographics of identity,the thesis discovers that Chinese mothers perform three female roles,namely daughter,wife and mother.Each role manifests a distinctive cultural meaning in different society.Eventually,all the characteristics derived from the identity reformation constitute a refined identity.Thirdly,Chinese mothers' reconstructed identity is exactly what postmodern feminists have long persisted and pursued.Their awareness and exploration of female identity also prove the guidance of postmodern feminist concept on the reconstruction of female identity is practicable and viable.During identity reconstruction,Chinese mothers not only find the real female identity through manifesting their female individuality and independence,but also become active in the pursuit of equality and rights.In a word,it is a historical success for mothers in The Joy Luck Club to reconstruct their cultural identity.They function as an indispensable communication bridge between Chinese culture and American culture.Emerging from the integral consummation of two cultures,the reconstructed identity demonstrates fluidity,diversity and inclusivity.Through Chinese mothers' identity transformation,the thesis concludes that the confidence and independence of Chinese females help them take advantage of the plasticity of identity.They can realize the identity reconstruction so long as they balance two cultures by absorbing American merits and preserving Chinese essence instead of sticking to either culture.The achievement of identity reconstruction not only inspires Chinese women to cogitate and reexamine their identity,but also leads them to pursue equality and liberty.More importantly,the current research broadens the further study of Chinese females' identity in Amy Tan's other novels.