The Study on Cultural Conflict and Compatibility between China and America from the Study of “the Joy Luck Club”

【Abstract】When people accepting different cultures， people in different backgrounds often have conflicts when they communicate with each other， because people are used to judging peoples behavior in different cultural backgrounds by their own standards. However， different norms of behavior lead to misunderstanding， injury and even worse consequences. This phenomenon is quite common in the East represented by China and the West represented by the United States.

【Key words】cultural conflict; cultural compatibility; Chinese and American culture; Joy Luck Club

【作者簡介】汪暉，浙江樹人大學基礎學院。

Ⅰ.Introduction

The Joy Luck Club described the mothers and daughters conflict and misunderstandings are caused by the differences between the two generations and the two cultures. What they show is also a microcosm of the social phenomena at that time. In the background of the growing trend of globalization， exchanges between Chinese and American cultures have become increasingly frequent. In the process of communication， rooted in different cultural backgrounds， there will inevitably be friction and collision between the two cultures. However， the two cultures will not collide blindly. All cultures are intermingled， and none of them can exist independently.

Ⅱ.The Cultural Conflicts between Chinese and American Culture

The misunderstandings and conflicts between mothers and daughters in The Joy Luck Club seem to be that mothers who grew up in China were always unable to understand their daughters who grew up in the American cultural environment. From the slowly recounting history， mothers expect to educate their daughters in their own way， hoping that their tragedies will not repeat. In the education of their daughters， they put too high expectations， too sensitive and self-esteem of the oppressed on their daughters， resulting in a deep gap between mother and daughter.

In Chinese families， family harmony is the most important， so family reunion is an indispensable link， it can promote communication between family members. Chatting and eating together can strengthen the feelings between family members. After the mother immigrated， the gathering became their spiritual sustenance for their homeland， so mothers organize “Joy Luck Club” activities every year. But the daughters could not understand the deep meaning behind this party.

1.Reason for Cultural Conflicts

First of all， mother received Chinese-style education when she was young. Although she later moved to the United States because of the war， traditional Chinese ideas have been deeply rooted. Whats more， their experience in China has influenced their views. They use their so-called experience to teach their daughters. Because of their miserable past， they hope their daughter can be more successful. This excessive expectation can cause great pressure on daughters， leading to the breakdown of a good relationship between the two. In order to let their daughters understand and accept Chinese culture， mothers try to change their differences. They insist on telling their daughters about their past experiences in the hope that they can understand and accept them. Unfortunately， everyone is centered on their own culture. Mothers want to control their children， show their authority and demand that their children obey their wishes. But daughters want to have equal status and voice with their mothers. They want freedom and independence.

Secondly， in the family， mothers want to have enough right to speak， thus depriving their daughters of the right to speak. This is feasible under the Chinese cultural background. But for daughters who have accepted American culture for a long time， it becomes a kind of shackle， which makes them feel that they have lost their freedom and basic respect. Finally， they resist their mothers ideas and create contradictions. Whenever mothers express their wishes to their daughters or manage them， their daughters resist strongly.

Thirdly， language is a part of culture. “Being a system of symbols on which culture is based， language reflects culture. There is no wonder that Arensberg and Niehoff stated ‘nothing more clearly distinguishes one culture from another than its language.” （Yang， 2014：207）. Language differences lead to thinking differences， resulting in poor communication between the two sides. There are also problems with communication between daughters living in the United States and mothers moving to the United States.

2.Summary

The cultural conflict between China and the West is due to the collision between individualism and collectivism. Chinese culture pays attention to collective， sacrifice and dedication， we will give up our own interests for the sake of family and children; the West emphasizes the value of people themselves， pursues independence and autonomy， and their own interests outweigh the collective interests. When two opposite cultures meet， the occurrence of contradictions is inevitable. But people are always based on their own to look at other culture， discrimination and Prejudice， a sense of superiority over ones own culture will destroy the harmony of the two bridges， causing irreparable contradictions. The lack of language and the failure of communication will lead to cultural conflicts.

Ⅲ.The Cultural Compatibility between Chinese and American Culture

Despite frequent clashes and frictions between mother and daughter， the relationship between mother and daughter can not be changed. As mothers gradually embrace and integrate into American culture， they can understand their daughters ideas. Although the daughters have been influenced by the two cultures since their childhood， their respect for American culture has suppressed Chinese culture. When they begin to face up to Chinese culture， it is when the two cultures begin to merge with each other. Despite the twists and turns of the process， the results are very good. The contradiction between mother and daughter began to ease， which also showed us the possibility and necessity of maintaining cultural exchanges between China and the United States. Reason for Cultural Blending

In the process of collision between two cultures， communication is always the most important link and the bridge between the two cultures. Enough communication can deepen understanding and reduce misunderstandings. The main problem between mothers and daughters in The Joy Luck Club is that they do not agree with each others values and do not have enough communication. But with the passage of time， the thoughts of mothers and daughters have gradually changed. Great maternal love and blood-thicker family ties eventually made them listen to each other and learn to change themselves to understand and tolerate each other. “Mothers gradually embrace and integrate American culture， trying to understand their daughters hearts.” （Wang， 2017： 169）. Differences in values can not be completely changed， but we can solve unnecessary misunderstandings through communication.

Secondly， mutual respect is important， “people from different culture background are confronted with different rules and norms. The one way to live in a balanced life in culture conflict is to show culture respect.” （Chen， 2008： 218）. Mothers and daughters are based on their own culture and communication with each other. They think their own culture is the best. If they dont respect each others culture in communication， they cant understand each others behavior， so its not surprising that there will be contradictions. At the end of the article， we can see that mothers and daughters learn to respect each others culture and treat different cultures with a learning attitude.

Finally， because of the family relationship， although there are contradictions between mother and daughter， the family relationship will eventually make them sit down and communicate well. This relationship is not something that time can make it disappear. It will exist forever and affect them. And its handed down from generation to generation.

Ⅳ.A Correct View of Cultural Conflict and Compatibility

The 20th century witnessed unprecedented developments in the United States. The rapid development of the economy has accelerated immigration worldwide. With the gradual change of living environment， some changes have taken place in the thought of these Chinese immigrants. They and their descendants have gradually forgotten the past culture and history. They can not understand their parents words and the legendary stories of their ancestors. Chinese-American writers such as Amy Tan and The Joy Luck Club daughters were born and raised in the United States， so they did not realize the significance of their yellow skin and black hair. They feel confused and embarrassed only when they are regarded as Chinese by others， but they know nothing about their own culture.

In the process of globalization， more and more people are aware of the value of Chinese culture. They no longer advocate the American culture blindly. They begin to treat the two cultures equally， and remove the dross and extract their essence.

Ⅴ.Conclusion

When we interpret the essence of The Joy Luck Club， we should also see that there are inherent and profound reasons for the cultural conflict between China and the United States. The difference of the special environment for survival and development makes the two cultures inevitably conflict. However， due to the development of the times and the similarities in the essence of culture， the adaptation and integration between the two cultures are also inevitable.

References：

[1]Tan， A. The Joy Luck Club [M]. New York： Ivy Books， 1989.

[2]譚恩美.喜福會[M].上海：上海譯文出版社，2006，5.