Migration, Motherhood, and Family Ties: A Comparative Study of The Buddha in the Attic and The Joy Luck Club

Abstract

Migration is the movement of people from one place to another due to different reasons. The process of migration is thus an evolutionary process that transforms the lives of individuals and families, especially women. The intricacies of dislocation, cultural assimilation, and identity construction can deeply impact familial relationships and motherhood. This paper makes an analysis of migration, family dynamics, and motherhood, exploring how these themes are presented in Julie Otsuka’s The Buddha In The Attic and Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club. A comparative reading of these novels will reveal the myriad ways in which women fight cultural dislocation caused by migration and how it affects their interpersonal relations. This study is largely about the complicated struggles, family relationships, and motherhood of Japanese and Chinese immigrant women that unfold within the context of migration. Ultimately, this is a paper that attempts to understand that migration involves not only the physical journey but also a psychological transformation that transforms the lives of women and families.