Parental Control vs. Guidance in Joy Luck Club The novel "Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan depicts the struggle between a dominant mother trying to protect her daughter, Ni kan, from the devastating losses she has suffered convincing her that she could become anyone she wants to be. Ni Kan resents her mother's control and just wants to be herself. The author clearly illustrates in this novel that parents cannot control their children's lives; they can only guide them in the right direction and let them make their own decisions. First of all, Amy Tan shows that Ni Kan's mother attempted to dominate and control her daughter's life. The mother does this by telling Ni kan that "'...you too can be a prodigy'" (Tan 491) and insisting that she work towards this goal. Ni Kan is then sent down a path of endless trials and lessons. These include tests on state capitals; multiply numbers in his head; find the queen of hearts in a deck of cards; try to stand upside down without using your hands; predict daily temperatures in Los Angeles, New York and London; and looking at a page of the Bible for three minutes and reporting everything he remembers (Tan 492). Although Ni kan quickly loses interest in her mother's dream of becoming a prodigy, her mother persists. He arranges for Ni Kan to take piano lessons. Her mother doesn't ask her if she wants to play the piano or explore another art form. She organizes a full schedule of lessons and practices that take over not only her daughter's physical existence, but also dominate Ni Kan's thoughts for most of her free time. His mother wants to control not only his actions but also his dreams and aspirations, and will not tolerate disobedience. He clearly says that "Only one kind of daughter can live in this house. Obedient daughter" (Tan 497). Amy Tan shows that Ni kan resents her mother's decisions and resists her control. After many failed tests of knowledge and skill, Nikan states to herself, "I won't let her change me...". (Tan 492). This clearly shows a child who resists parental domination and control. Piano lessons evoke a response such as "...I felt like I had been sent to hell" (Tan 493).