The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan, is a piece of literature that shows the power of femininity. Over the last two centuries, the role women play in society has changed dramatically. Women in various societies have experienced unrest due to discrimination and often contempt. Women were seen as domestic caregivers and left most other jobs in society to men. Women have moved up the social ladder, in politics, in work and in families. Femininity is displayed throughout Joy Luck Club. Each of these women has their own life experiences and stories, but through it all they have remained strong. The rules and regulations for women in China were very restrictive. Women had to live up to the ideal model of being obedient, working hard, having children, hiding their unhappiness, and not complaining about anything. In China, women had little value and were considered valuable only to their immediate relatives. Most mothers left China with the aim of improving their daughters' lives in America. The novel demonstrates various characteristics of how women are portrayed. The theme of women is demonstrated through the difficulties experienced, ethics and self-esteem. In the novel the women experienced hardship in their country. China contained a strict ethic that women abide by. At the beginning of the novel Suyuan-Woo emphasizes a better life in America for women. Tan said: “During his trip he cooed to the swan: “In America I will have a daughter just like me. But down there no one will say that her worth is measured by the sound of her husband's belch” (Tan 3). This shows that women in China have simply been treated poorly. Comparing the worth of an individual to a burp is simply unfair for the time being. Most of the women in the novel have overcome the harsh traditions of treating women in ancient Chinese culture. Ancient Chinese culture believed that women should submit to patriarchy and strict ethics. This gave women no chance to move up the social class ladder. Being treated badly would often affect women. Women like Lindo represent the power to escape the oppressive atmosphere. Lindo decided to leave when she saw that the Huangs could no longer control her. Women needed to be able to find their own independent identity. Ying-Ying is an example of this as she always wanted to be found by someone, but inevitably realized that she was his solution to finding his wholeness. Today, modern women can express their thoughts, independence and creativity. Help should be continuously provided to free women from oppression and discrimination.