What is a significant theme in Amy Tan's "The Joy Luck Club"?

A significant theme in Amy Tan's "The Joy Luck Club" is the conflict between cultures. This theme is particularly evident through the interactions and relationships between the Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters. The generational and cultural divide creates misunderstandings and challenges that shape their identities and familial bonds.

The mothers often hold traditional Chinese values and expectations, which can clash with the more modern and individualistic perspectives of their daughters raised in America. This cultural conflict leads to tension, but it also provides a backdrop for growth and understanding as characters navigate their dual identities. Amy Tan intricately weaves personal and cultural narratives, highlighting how cultural differences impact family dynamics and personal development throughout the novel.

The other themes present in the story, such as the impact of war on families, the journey of self-discovery, and the quest for power, do play a role in the characters' lives; however, they do not encapsulate the central struggle that defines the relationships and overarching narrative of "The Joy Luck Club" to the same extent that the conflict between cultures does.