Rules Of The Game, By Amy Tan
Many people have a very healthy, friendly relationship with their mother. Some people though, may feel like they need to break away from their mothers ties and gain control. In “Rules of the Game,” by Amy Tan, Waverly is in a power struggle between her and her mother. Waverly is embarrassed by her mother’s inability to assimilate to culture. For example, after Waverly’s first chess match, she is annoyed by her mother trying to give her tips: “As she wiped each piece with a soft cloth, she said, ‘Next time win more, lose less’ ‘Ma, it's not how many pieces you lose,’ I said. ‘Sometimes you need to lose pieces to get ahead.’ ‘Better to lose less, see if you really need.’... I was annoyed, but I couldn't say anything.”(75) Waverly notices