Table of Contents “Rules of the Game”: The Art of StrengthBreaking Cultural Norms in “Rules of the Game” Works Cited “Rules of the Game”: The art of strengthIn "Rules of the Game," Amy Tan reveals the importance of staying strong even when you can't be expected to succeed. Meimei's mother teaches her daughter "the art of invisible force" (497), instilling in her the value of silence. She explains to Meimei how "'the strongest wind cannot be seen'" (497), using symbolism to represent the advantage Meimei can gain over her opponents in chess and in life by striving to defy low expectations through internal strength. Say no to plagiarism. . Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essayAccording to Perrine, a symbol is an object, action, or character "that means more than what it suggests on the surface" (216). ). The wind is an invisible force, but one that makes its presence known. Meimei's mother encourages her daughter to be like the wind, to keep her strength even if no one expects anything from her. However, this advice also applies to the Jongs' life as Chinese immigrants. Breaking Cultural Norms in the “Rules of the Game” Amy Tan explores the importance of exceeding expectations and breaking cultural norms by using symbolism to compare the position of immigrants to that of Meimei. chess matches. When Chinese immigrants enter the United States, the judge says, “'Too bad, come back'” (502), but he does not tell them why. In life, it is “'better… [to] find out why [for oneself]'” (502). Meimei's mother teaches her daughter to be independent and to seek the answers to her questions herself instead of relying on others. The idea of ​​strength that Meimei's mother refers to is not physical. Instead, it is the inner will that helps us overcome challenges and face difficulties with confidence. Meimei doesn't have to be the most famous or seem the toughest. She just has to be strong-willed and determined not to let expectations determine her destiny. Meimei's mother wants to make her daughter understand that it is "'shame [to] fall'" (504) without letting herself be pushed. “Falling” symbolizes the abandonment of strength and loss, referring to chess games and life in general. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay By encouraging her daughter to stand tall, she conveys the idea that Meimei should keep her strength up, especially when others underestimate her. Because her family is made up of Chinese immigrants and therefore considered incapable by the rest of society, Meimei's mother does not want to let these cultural norms affect her daughter's success. By connecting the proverbs to Meimei's chess games, Amy Tan expresses the importance of strength despite society's low expectations. Works Cited Tan, Amy. “Rules of the game”. The Joy Luck Club, Vintage Books, 1989, pp. 497-504. Perrine, Laurence. Literature: structure, sound and meaning. 9th ed., Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers, 1987.