Rules of the game by Amy Tan

The writer was known, she did write many stories. I did read other story ‘Two kinds’. I noticed two stories do have similarities, Amy tended to write about the Chinese background and relationship between mother and daughter. I suspected that she did have same experience as personage in the story. This one is about the chess game. MeiMei’s brother got chess game for Christmas gift. Meimei wants to play chess game, but her mother seemed do not like MeiMei playing chess too, then she became a good player. She did protect MeiMei from outside, but MeiMei did find out how to play by herself. I can remember my brother was huge fan of the chess game. He did play with dad. I did not understand how it works. My brother did explain me. I learned how to play the chess from him. We did play game, but I did not like it because I always lost. Sometimes I tried to confirm I was right and I won Then my brother explained that he was right and wins. I was stubborn. The start of game was nice, but the ended with quarrel, so I did really not focus on the chess game as MeiMei.

Amy Tan with her mother

‘’This is American rules,’’ she concluded at last. ‘’ Every time people come out foreign country, must know rules. You not know, judge say, too bad, go back. They not telling you why so you can use their way go forward. They say, Don’t know why, you find out yourself. But they knowing all the time. Better you take it, find out why yourself’’. She tossed her head back with a satisfied smile.

MeiMei and her family live in USA now. They have to follow the rules of USA. They don’t tell them why, but just use their way to go forward. It has similar with the chess game.  MeiMei doesn’t know the rules and has to find out the rules by herself. That’s what her mom said, I think her mom already has involved in America culture and act like she’s smart. Afterwards MeiMei did research the rules by herself. She tries to learn how to play the chess game. 

Leaving Home, Amy Tan, pg 39

But I found it difficult to concentrate at home. My mother had a habit of standing over me while I plotted out my games. I think she thought of herself as my protective ally. Her lips would be sealed tight, and after each move I made, a soft ‘’Hmmmmph’’ would escape from her nose.

‘’ Ma, I can’t practice when you stand here like that,’’ I said one day. She retreated to the kitchen and made loud noises with the pots and pans.

When I read that sentences, I feel strange about her mother’s behavior. I suspect that her mother doesn’t want MeiMei to have successful because she did bother her during practicing. Her mother’s behavior made MeiMei more frustrated. I think she tried to avoid MeiMei practice the chess game.  Her mother feels she fails.

Leaving home, Amy Tan, pg 49