Point-of-View

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan was entirely written in the first person point of view (with exception of the beginning of the story [P.3 & P.4]) However, the story is composed of chapters that are written in different characters’ point-of -views.
I found it an interesting way to write a story. The characters in each chapter are connected, but doesn’t seem to be one big plotline that all of them followed. Other books are often told only through one person’s point-of-view throughout the entire story or switching with characters but still focusing on one main event. This story, however, seemed to weave through different characters’ lives. Not only the thoughts of the characters were given, but their experiences and feelings as well. I could really relate to these characters more by reading their views as well as looking at their experiences. For example, in the first chapter through Jing-Mei Woo’s point of view, I thought Auntie An-Mei was an indecisive worrywart. However, in the next chapter I learned about An-Mei’s life and how she carried it out, being separated from her mother by her protective Popo. From her perspective of her story, I saw her as a strong person who endured her hardships.