Regrettable Pursuits: Dual Narrative Voice in the Joy Luck Club

Abstract

In the past few decades, identity was the popular topic in the literary criticism when researches went for The Joy Luck Club, including the author's cultural identity, gender identity, and ethnic identity. There is no denying that culture must be the important topic with the globalization of the world. However, my paper intends to deal with this seemingly old topic from the perspective of feminist narratology in order to prove how Amy Tan, by adopting unique dual narrative voice in the novel, attempts to make Chinese American women hold an authority of their own voice. The Joy Luck Club is one of Amy Tan's most successful novels. The literary reputation of Amy Tan is well established by this novel which has caught attention and aroused sensation inside and outside America. With its unique narrative techniques, the novel has aroused great interest among scholars. In order to lead readers into the inner world of the characters', Tan has adopted personal narrative voice to give each woman a chance to tell her own story. As the main character in the novel, June is given the privilege to tell her mother's story as well as hers. Dual narrative voice can be heard by the readers clearly, which, at the same time, makes the narration convincing. Hence, the authority of Chinese American women's narrative voice can be achieved.