“There are times when even the tiger sleeps. » This Chinese proverb is essential to understanding the character of Lindo Jong, Waverly Jong's mother, in Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club. The book, written as a series of interwoven vignettes, delves into the world of Chinese mother-daughter relationships. The Joy Luck Club tells the story of four Chinese families: the Woos, the Hsus, the Jongs and the St. Clairs. Waverly Jong's mother, Lindo, has always been strong and stubborn, criticizing everything around her and not giving in to persuasion. This pugnacity bothers Waverly, who has spent her entire life unconsciously trying to impress her mother, a seemingly impossible task. Waverly has always been tormented by her mother's criticism, becoming increasingly distressed thinking that she cannot live up to her mother's high standards. After finally deciding to confront her mother about her relentless personality, Waverly realizes that her mother is just a vulnerable old woman despite her inner strength. The Chinese proverb “There are times when even the tiger sleeps” suggests that even the strongest have an Achilles heel. This saying is particularly relevant to the sleeping scene with Lindo Jong because even though Lindo is strong and combative, she is still a fallible old woman who worries about her daughter. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essayThe proverb can be interpreted literally, but it also has a deeper figurative meaning. The tiger, a powerful predator, is considered an almost impeccable warrior in the animal kingdom. Always on guard, the tiger is a formidable creature that should not be mixed with. Like any creature, the tiger needs to sleep, which makes it vulnerable to attack. Viewing tigers as a dominant adversary and sleep as a universally recognized moment of vulnerability, this ancient Chinese proverb rightly states that no creature is without weaknesses or moments of weakness. Waverly and Lindo's contrasting personalities highlight both of their personal weaknesses. According to the Chinese zodiac, Waverly was born a Rabbit, making her "supposedly sensitive, with tendencies to become thin-skinned and nervous at the first sign of criticism", while her mother Lindo was born a Horse, making her “stubborn and outspoken towards others”. no lack of tact” (183). These two animal signs do not bode well together, leading to a plethora of conflicts between the two Jongs. Lindo constantly criticizes everything from the food she eats to the people around her. A good example of Lindo's hurtful criticism is when she calls Waverly's expensive fur coat a gift from her fiancé? “just strips left” (186). As Waverly states, “[Lindo] never thinks anyone is good enough for anything” (183). This insatiability exasperates Waverly, who simply wants her mother to accept her environment. The proverb's relevance to Lindo Jong becomes evident when Waverly discovers her mother sleeping. Waverly has always been angry at her manipulative mother for her “scheming ways of making…[Waverly] unhappy” (199). Waverly leaves early in the morning to go to her parents' apartment and yell at her mother. When she reunites with Lindo, she sees a side of her mother that she had never observed before: the back of her head was resting on a white embroidered doily. His mouth was relaxed and all the lines on his face were gone. With her smooth face, she looked like a young girl, frail, candid and innocent. One arm hung limply over the side of the couch. His chest was still. All his.”