This 6-page paper considers the themes and messages in Amy Tan's book' The Joy Luck Club'. The paper argues that one strong theme is the formation of identity and the influence that gender, culture and generation difference make in this maturation process. The paper argues that it is only after an individual is matures that there is a rejection of the need to 'fit in' and the differences may be embraced. 6 pgs. Bibliography lists 1 source.