"Rules of The Game": The Importance of Staying Strong

'Rules of the Game': Art of Strength

In “Rules of the Game,” Amy Tan reveals the importance of staying strong even when one may not be expected to succeed. Meimei’s mother teaches her daughter the “art of invisible strength” (497), instilling in her the value of remaining silent. She explains to Meimei how “‘the strongest wind cannot be seen’” (497), using symbolism to represent the advantage Meimei can obtain over her opponents in chess and in life by focusing on defying low expectations through internal strength.

According to Perrine, a symbol is an object, action, or character “that means more than what it suggests on the surface” (216). Wind is a force that is invisible, but it makes its presence known. Meimei’s mother is encouraging her daughter to be like the wind, to keep up her strength even if no one expects anything of her. However, this piece of advice also applies to the Jongs’ life as Chinese immigrants.

Breaking Cultural Norms in 'Rules of the Game'

Amy Tan explores the importance of exceeding expectations and breaking cultural norms by using symbolism to compare the position of immigrants to Meimei’s chess matches. When Chinese immigrants enter the United States, the judge says, “‘Too bad, go back’” (502), but he or she won’t tell them why. In life, it is “‘better… [to] find out why [on one’s own]’” (502). Meimei’s mother is teaching her daughter to be independent and seek the answers to her questions herself instead of relying on others.

The idea of strength that Meimei’s mother is referring to is not physical. Instead, it is the will inside oneself that helps one overcome challenges and face difficulties with confidence. Meimei does not have to be the most well known or appear the toughest. She just has to have a strong will and be determined not to let expectations determine her fate. Meimei’s mother wants to make her daughter understand that it is a “‘shame [to] fall down’” (504) without being pushed. “Falling down” symbolizes giving up strength and losing, referring to games of chess and life in general.

By encouraging her daughter to stay upright, she is conveying the idea that Meimei should keep up her strength, especially when others underestimate her. Because her family is made up of Chinese immigrants and therefore thought of as incapable by the rest of society, Meimei’s mother does not want to let those cultural norms affect her daughter’s success. By connecting proverbs to Meimei’s games of chess, Amy Tan conveys the importance of strength despite low expectations from society. 

Works Cited

1. Tan, Amy. 'Rules of the Game.' The Joy Luck Club, Vintage Books, 1989, pp. 497-504.
2. Perrine, Laurence. Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense. 9th ed., Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers, 1987.