Chinese Mother VS American Daughter

A common theme in many of Amy Tan's books is the personal conflict between a traditional Chinese mother and her American-born daughter raised in the West.  This theme is very important as one considers the total work of Tan.  There is a good reason for this kind of drama.  In Amy Tan's own life such a conflict existed for a time between herself and her own mother.  In fact, the two of them did not speak for six months after Amy, as a young woman, left the Baptist college her mother had selected for her.  She followed her boyfriend to San Jose City College instead.  Amy further rejected her mother's plans for her life by abandoning the pre-medical course of study she had originally started following.  Amy chose English and linguistics as an educational career path.  She went on to receive her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in these fields at San Jose State University in 1974.  Later, she and her boyfriend, Louis DeMattei, were married.  They settled eventually in the San Francisco area.

After some initial business writing work in a company, Amy Tan decided to strike out on her own.  After a few years went by in business writing for herself, she had managed to save enough money to buy a house for her mother.  This is no doubt a symbolic gesture that Chinese people understand best.  It was a heartfelt gesture of love and concern from a desire to make peace with her mother.  In Chinese tradition, this gesture is a necessary act of respect and honor.  Since Amy and her lawyer husband were living well on their double incomes it was not an over-burden for her to do this.

Eventually Amy Tan found her path in the direction of creative writing.  However, just as she was embarking on this new adventure her mother became very ill.  Amy made a promise to herself that if her mother recovered, she would take her back to China.  The hope was to reunite her with the daughter who had been left behind nearly forty years before.  Mrs. Tan did indeed regain her health.  So Amy and "Mom" both departed for China in 1987.  As turned out, this trip was a kind of revelation for Amy Tan.  It opened up an exciting, new perspective on the conflicted relationship with her mother she had experienced for most of her adult life.  So her work often reflects this new understanding.  See for yourself by picking up or checking out an Amy Tan novel soon!

Best regards from your friend,

Harlan Urwiler

For more information, feel free to visit my website at:  http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.