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Amy Tan, "A Pair of Tickets"

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Comparison: The Bi-cultural Parent and Child

First-generation Americans of foreign parents, Asians in particular, often write about the difficulties of bridging the two cultures, especially in their relationships with their parents, and of finding their own bi-cultural identity. Explore this conflict by comparing this story to Li-Young Lee, "Persimmons," and Cathy Song, "Heaven" (LIT 856). You might also like to compare the Asian American experience to the Hispanic American experience, as shown in Richard Dokey's story "Sanchez" (LIT 159).

The Joy Luck Club

Even though "A Pair of Tickets" has a great deal of unity and coherence, it is the final chapter of The Joy Luck Club. This book is told from the perspectives of the four members of the Joy Luck Club and their daughters, and each mother-daughter story shows different aspects of their bi-cultural dilemmas and conflicts. Does your reading of the final chapter change after reading it in its context? Of the four mother-daughter stories, why was this one chosen for the ending?

The Asian American Context

To understand Asian American literature, the reader must know about historical and cultural contexts, both of China and of the America that these writers have experienced, especially in terms of prejudice and racism, which may be very subtle. There are many differences between the cultures which are important in this story. Pick an important difference, such as the treatment of women in each culture or family structure, and explore the Asian American sites on the home page for additional information and perspectives. Then show how this knowledge helps you understand aspects of this story.

Amy Tan has said that Asian American issues are not the primary driving force behind her writing, and some critics have accused her of "selling out." Like most writers, she finds labels limiting, and is concerned with universal themes about relationships and families, especially immigrant families. However, the ethnic, and perhaps the Chinese, element in her work, especially in this story, is crucial. Read the interviews and reviews linked from Anniina's Amy Tan Page and consider Tan's ideas about her place among contemporary Asian American writers.

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