In America is in the Heart Carlos Bulosan eloquently describes the paradox of America, especially for the Asian-American immigrant. Those who came to America seeking the "land of opportunity" often found themselves limited by political policies and social practices based on racism. Bulosan's novel focuses on the experiences of Filipino migrant workers who were predominantly men. Faced with deplorable working and living conditions, these men found solace and solidarity in the fraternal bond. In The Joy Luck Club Amy Tan gives voice to another group of Asian immigrants, this time a group of Chinese women and their American-born daughters. While Bulosan's male characters seem to be drawn closer together as they face the challenges of life as an immigrant, Tan's female characters often seem to be driven apart. In the following exchange between Waverly Jong and her mother, Lindo, the daughter seems to be trying to distance herself from her mother:"I wish you wouldn't do that, telling everybody I'm your daughter." My mother stopped walking. Crowds of people with heavy bags pushed past us on the sidewalk, bumping into first one shoulder, then another. "Aiii-ya. So shame be with mother?' She grasped my hand even tighter as she glared at me. I looked down. "It's not that, it's just so obvious. It's just so embarrassing" (99).
Why was Waverly embarrassed? Was her mother "too Chinese"? Is Wavery (and the other daughters) caught between two cultures? How? Did Tan's characters face challenges similar to those faced by Bulosan's? How/why are these experiences different?
