From The Joy Luck Club

I’m choosing to skip this one if only because there’s a recent post about self-awareness, which is also the major thematic idea of this particular short story. I do want to point out the similarities between Lindo and Danny (The Chosen). One, they found themselves in silence: Danny in the silent relationship with his father and Lindo in following the orders of her new family. Additionally, they realized the importance of what their parents asked them to do but did not allow the obedience they were obliged to give to their parents, whether because of the Commandments or because of honor, overwhelm their own sense of self. That’s huge. That’s saying, I can do what my parents ask of me and still have space left over to be who I am and no one can take that away from me no matter what.