Two novels that I could read over and over again, “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan and “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Caf” by Fannie Flag. The two novels share similar qualities while conveying their different story lines. “The Joy Luck Club” is a sage about several Chinese mothers and their American-born daughters. It is also about the mothers’ experiences with immigrating, and/or their upbringing. It depicts the relationship between the mothers’ and their daughters and how this relationship affects the daughters lives. Emphasis is placed on historical references and the struggle of women. All of the mothers were born between the mid 1920’s and the late 1940’s. The political and social histories of China were important factors in the character building youth of these women. Between 1931 and 1945 China was occupied by the Japanese, which led to their immigration to the United States. Chinese cultural traditions such as arranged marriages, different religions, and superstitious notions, all which repress women, also influenced their character. A great deal of importance is placed on the variety of traditions that were placed on them. The theme of tradition being passed down from mother to daughter is also stressed. This particular tradition is not explicitly expressed. In order for it to be preserved and handed down it is to be observed, absorbed, and understood. Yet one of the main (ideas) points of the novel is to show that these traditions were not imposed on the American-born daughters as they were on their mothers. In turn, this leads to the vast differences and conflicts between the mothers and their daughters. Some of the differences and conflicts are good while others are not. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Caf is a novel about two women in the 1980’s. An elderly Mrs. Threadgood tells a tale of two young women, which takes pla...
