Another theme is cultural identity. Amy Tan's novels often deal with the struggle of Chinese - American characters to balance their Chinese heritage with their American upbringing. They are caught between two different cultures, trying to find their place in both.
Cultural heritage is another major theme. Tan uses the story to explore how one's cultural background shapes their identity and how a visit to the place of origin can bring a deeper understanding of that heritage.
Family relationships play a crucial role. There are often complex mother - daughter relationships, like in 'The Joy Luck Club' where the mothers and daughters have misunderstandings but also deep love for each other.
The theme of self - discovery is also present. The daughter, through her struggles with her mother, gradually discovers who she is and what she wants. She breaks free from her mother's expectations at first, but then comes to understand her mother better and in a way, discovers a new part of herself in relation to her family and cultural roots.
In 'Rules of the Game', the theme of identity is also present. Waverly is trying to figure out who she is. Is she the obedient Chinese daughter her mother wants her to be? Or is she the independent, self - made American success story? Her chess - playing is a part of this identity - seeking process. The cultural clash also affects her identity. She has to navigate between the traditional Chinese values of her family and the more liberal American values around her. And the mother - daughter relationship further complicates this identity formation as her mother's expectations constantly shape and reshape how Waverly sees herself.
One main theme is the mother - daughter relationship. The mother has high hopes for her daughter and tries to shape her into a prodigy, which causes a lot of conflict between them.
One of the best is 'The Joy Luck Club'. It tells the stories of four Chinese - American immigrant women and their daughters, exploring the complex relationships between them, cultural clashes and the power of family bonds.
One possible main theme could be cultural heritage. Since it's an Amy Tan novel, she often delves into the importance of one's cultural roots. The 'Shop of the Gods' might be a place that embodies the cultural heritage of the characters, perhaps a link to their ancestral past.
One of the main themes is the mother - daughter relationship. The mother's high expectations and the daughter's resistance create a central conflict. Another theme is cultural clash. The mother's traditional Chinese values meet the daughter's American - influenced values.
Cultural identity is a major theme. Her stories often involve characters who are caught between Chinese and American cultures, trying to figure out where they belong. For example, in 'The Joy Luck Club', the daughters are American - born but have Chinese - born mothers, and they struggle with understanding their dual heritage.
One main theme is the mother - daughter relationship. It's full of tension as the mother tries to shape the daughter into a prodigy.