The Chinese proverb, “There are moments when even the Tiger sleeps,” is key to understanding Lindo Jong’s character in Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club. The book is a collection of interconnected vignettes that explores the world of Chinese mother and daughter relationships. The Joy Luck Club is about four Chinese families, including the Woos and Hsus. It also includes the Jongs and St. Clairs. Waverly’s mother Lindo Jong has been adamant and strong. She criticizes everything and refuses to be persuaded. Waverly’s mother is a pugnacious woman who spends her life subconsciously trying, and failing, to impress Lindo. Waverly is constantly plagued by criticism from her mother, and she becomes increasingly anxious thinking that her mother has high standards. Waverly’s mother was implacable and adamant about it. Waverly confronted her, but she realized that despite the inner strength of her mother, her mother was a vulnerable elderly woman. The Chinese saying “Even the tiger has its sleep” implies that even the most powerful people can be vulnerable. This proverb relates to the Lindo jong scene in which she sleeps because, despite being strong and fighting, Lindo is still a frail old woman that worries about her own daughter.

This proverb has both a literal and a deeper meaning. As a powerful animal predator, the tiger is regarded as a warrior who has almost no faults. Tigers are a dangerous creature, always on the lookout. Sleeping is a necessity for the tiger as it is with all animals. The ancient Chinese proverb asserts, with tigers viewed as dominant opponents and sleep viewed as a universal moment of vulnerability.

Waverly & Lindo’s different personalities reveal both their weaknesses. Waverly’s Chinese Zodiac birth sign is Rabbit. It means she has “a tendency to be thin-skinned at first signs of criticism and is skittish” while Lindo’s Chinese Zodiac birth sign was Horse. The two animal signs don’t mix well, causing a lot of conflict between the Jongs. Lindo is constantly critical of everything she does, from her food to people around. Lindo’s criticisms are hurtful, as she shows when she criticizes Waverly for her expensive fur jacket that was a gift of her fianc’s. “Just left over strips” (186). Waverly states that “[Lindo] has never thought anyone was good enough to do anything” (183). Waverly’s mother is infuriated by her insatiable nature. She wants her to accept the environment in which she lives.

Waverly finds her mother asleep, and the meaning of the proverb is immediately apparent. Waverly’s manipulative mom has made her miserable for years. Waverly wakes up early and goes to her parents’ house to confront her mother. Lindo shows her a side she’d never seen before.

Her back rested upon a doily made of white embroidery. She had a slack mouth and no lines on her face. She looked young, innocent, and frail with her smooth, youthful face. One arm was dangling limply from the sofa. Her chest remained still. All of her strength had gone. She had no weapons, no demons surrounding her. She appeared powerless. Defeated. (199-200)

Waverly assumed her mother died as soon as she saw this. Waverly also thought horrible things about the mother. Waverly screams at her mom, with tears streaming down her cheeks. Lindo awakens, and Waverly hears him say, “Shemma?” Meimei-ah? What’s up? Why aren’t you smiling? Lindo called Waverly by her childhood name Meimei for the first time in years. Waverly realised that her mother had become a worn out, old woman with only one goal in mind: to provide the best life for her daughter. Waverly was only criticised and made to feel uncomfortable in order for her to analyze and improve the situation she is currently in. Waverly was able to grasp the deeper meaning of the Chinese saying, “”There’s a time when even the Tiger sleeps”. Although it’s never stated explicitly that Waverly has heard the proverb before, she learns its true meaning. Waverly saw her mother’s proverbial chessboard queen as “able in all directions to move, relentless to pursue, able in finding my weakest spots.” (199). Waverly is shocked to learn that her mother, who looks like a tiger, sleeps.

The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan, is not just a story about Chinese mothers and daughters but also provides a glimpse into human nature. Lindo Jong has a critical, fiery personality and is not satisfied with the circumstances of her life. She is old, vulnerable, and caring despite this. Lindojong, from The Joy Luck Club, truly represents the Chinese saying “There is a time when the tiger also sleeps”.

gabrieldillon