Brooke Martin
In Amy Tan's *The Joy Luck Club*, Lindo Jong is a character who submits to a loveless marriage to honour her parents' wishes and to prevent them from losing face. Lindo's marriage to the Huangs' son, Tyan-yu, is a symbol of a step up in the world for her, but she soon realises that she is doomed to a life of servitude. On her wedding night, a red candle with wicks at both ends is lit, signifying the binding of Lindo and Tyan-yu in marriage. If the candle burns all night without either side going out, the marriage is said to be forever. However, Lindo does not want to be bound to her husband forever, so she takes matters into her own hands and blows out his end of the candle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Lindo Jong |
| Book | The Joy Luck Club |
| Author | Amy Tan |
| Chapter | 3 |
| Candle Type | Red candle with wicks at both ends |
| Candle Significance | Marriage bond |
| Candle Tradition | If the candle burned for the entire night without either side going out, the marriage could never be broken |
| Lindo's Action | Blew out Tyan-yu's end of the candle |
| Reason | To break the marriage bond and escape the loveless marriage |
| Outcome | The candle was relit, and the marriage was considered sealed |
| Lindo's Strategy | Pretended to have a dream that foretold the marriage's doom and Tyan-yu's future with a servant girl |
| Result | Lindo's marriage was annulled, and she emigrated to America |
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What You'll Learn
Lindo's unhappy marriage to Tyan-yu
Lindo's marriage to Tyan-yu was unhappy from the start. Betrothed to him since she was two years old, Lindo was miserable and afraid on her wedding day. She was filled with despair as she anticipated a life spent in pursuit of someone else's happiness. She had no say in the matter and was expected to be quiet and "dark", not expressing her own opinions.
Lindo's husband, Tyan-yu, immediately asked her to sleep on the couch, and they never consummated their marriage. He had no interest in her and seemed to take pleasure in making her cry. Lindo was relegated to the servants' quarters in the Huangs' home, where she learned to cook and sew. She was determined to honour her parents and worked hard to be a good wife, enduring a loveless marriage to prevent her parents from losing face.
Lindo believed in the power of the marriage candle ritual, which symbolically bound her to Tyan-yu. She knew that if the candle burned all night without going out, her fate would be sealed, and she would be stuck in this unhappy marriage forever. Taking matters into her own hands, she blew out Tyan-yu's end of the candle when the servant guarding it was not looking. However, the servant relit the candle, and in the morning, it was presented as proof that the marriage was sealed.
Lindo's unhappiness continued as she was blamed for the couple's lack of children. She was confined to bed, and her jewellery was taken away in the belief that it would help her conceive. Eventually, Lindo devised a plan to end her marriage. She pretended to have a dream in which her ancestors foretold that Tyan-yu's end of the candle had gone out, dooming the marriage. She also claimed that Tyan-yu had impregnated a servant girl, and the servant girl backed up her story. As a result, Lindo's marriage was annulled, and she was able to escape her unhappy marriage and start a new life in America.
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The symbolism of the candle
In Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club, Lindo Jong blows out the marriage candle, which symbolises the end of her loveless marriage to Tyan-yu. The candle, with both ends lit, is a traditional symbol of the marriage bond. If the candle burned through the night without either side going out, the marriage was believed to be forever. Lindo's act of blowing out the candle represents her moment of autonomy, where she breaks free from the confines of an arranged marriage and challenges the traditional expectations of women's obedience.
Candles have long been associated with symbolic meaning in various cultures and traditions. They serve as a bridge between the physical and the divine, connecting people with the spiritual realm and the deceased. The act of lighting a candle can represent an offering, a request for guidance or intervention, or a celebration of life's joyous occasions.
The gentle glow of a candle symbolises the search for truth, clarity, and spiritual enlightenment. It encourages introspection, relaxation, and a journey of self-discovery. The flickering flame represents the delicate balance between life and death, reminding us of the transience of life and the importance of cherishing each moment.
The colours of candles also hold symbolic significance. In Lindo's case, the red candle may symbolise passion, love, or vitality. Additionally, candles are often used in rituals, ceremonies, and prayers, marking significant moments in life and serving as a source of comfort and connection.
Beyond their practical function, candles continue to captivate our senses and spark our imagination, playing a profound role in enhancing our spiritual connection and understanding of the world.
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Lindo's autonomy and independence
Lindo Jong's story in The Joy Luck Club revolves around her autonomy and independence, or lack thereof, in the context of an arranged marriage. Lindo's marriage to the Huangs' son, Tyan-yu, represents the theme of sacrifice and filial obligations, highlighting the generation gap between Lindo and her parents.
However, Lindo's character arc demonstrates a shift towards autonomy and independence. In a moment of self-realisation, Lindo recognises her inner strength, no longer afraid of her husband or the confines of her marriage. This newfound strength empowers her to take control of her life, marking a transition from the traditional role of obedient women in her culture. Lindo's decision to blow out Tyan-yu's end of the marriage candle symbolises her rejection of fate and her determination to break free from the marriage on her terms.
Lindo's act of blowing out the candle is a pivotal moment in her journey towards autonomy and independence. By taking matters into her own hands, she challenges the traditional belief in the candle's binding power. However, the relit candle underscores the complexity of her situation, as she grapples with the realisation that fate can be manipulated. Despite this setback, Lindo persists in her pursuit of freedom. She devises a plan to end her marriage by exploiting superstitions and traditional thinking, ultimately gaining full agency over her life.
Lindo's story in The Joy Luck Club serves as a testament to her gradual assertion of autonomy and independence within the constraints of her cultural and societal expectations. Her journey from a submissive, obedient wife to a woman who takes charge of her destiny underscores the underlying themes of sacrifice, filial obligations, and the generation gap.
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Superstition and fate
In Amy Tan's *The Joy Luck Club*, Lindo Jong's story, 'The Red Candle', explores the themes of superstition and fate. Lindo's arranged marriage to the Huangs' son, Tyan-yu, is a loveless union. On her wedding day, Lindo is filled with despair, knowing she is about to embark on a life of servitude. She is resigned to her fate, however, as she has been taught from a young age to sacrifice her desires for her parents' wishes and honour.
Lindo's marriage candle, a traditional symbol of the union, is decorated with her name on one end and Tyan-yu's on the other. The candle is lit at both ends, and according to superstition, if it burns through the night without either side going out, the marriage is sealed forever. Lindo, aware of this, seizes the opportunity to blow out her husband's end of the candle when the servant guarding it leaves the room. However, the servant relights the candle, and in the morning, Lindo's efforts seem to have been in vain as the burnt candle is presented as proof that the marriage is now unbreakable.
Lindo's initial attempt to break her fate by blowing out the candle fails, and she is faced with the reality of her unhappy marriage. She and Tyan-yu develop a platonic relationship, with him treating her like a sister and making her sleep on the sofa. Eventually, Lindo devises a plan to escape her marriage. She pretends to have a dream in which her ancestors foretell that the candle had gone out on her wedding night, and that Tyan-yu's heir is growing in the womb of a servant girl. Superstition and fate are used by Lindo as a weapon to deceive her in-laws and gain her freedom. The servant girl, grateful for the opportunity to marry into comfort, corroborates Lindo's story, and Lindo is granted a divorce and emigrates to America.
Lindo's story in 'The Red Candle' highlights the power of superstition and fate in shaping individuals' lives. Her initial submission to fate and the traditions of her culture lead to her entrapment in a loveless marriage. However, her bold decision to blow out the candle represents a shift towards autonomy and independence. By using superstition to her advantage, Lindo is able to break free from her destined path and take control of her life. This act of defiance against fate empowers her and sets her on a new course towards self-discovery and freedom.
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Lindo's escape to America
Lindo Jong's escape to America is a story of resilience, quick thinking, and a strong desire for freedom and happiness. From a young age, Lindo was aware of her family's plans for her future. At just two years old, she was betrothed to a boy a year her junior, Tyan-yu, the son of the wealthy Huangs. When she was twelve, her house was destroyed by floods, and she moved away from her family to live with Tyan-yu's family. She quickly realized her future husband was cruel, taking pleasure in her tears.
Lindo's marriage to Tyan-yu was loveless and devoid of any physical intimacy. She was relegated to the servants' quarters and treated as a slave by her in-laws. On her wedding night, Lindo, filled with despair, considered ending her life. However, she noticed the fierce wind and drew strength from it, resolving to honour her parents' promise while also seeking her happiness. She believed in the power of the marriage candle ritual, which dictated that if a candle with wicks at both ends burned through the night without going out, the marriage was forever binding.
Lindo took matters into her own hands and blew out Tyan-yu's end of the candle when the servant guarding it left the room. She wanted an excuse to end her unhappy marriage. However, the servant relit the candle, and in the morning, it was presented as proof that the marriage was sealed. For months, Lindo endured further mistreatment from Tyan-yu and his mother, Huang Taitai, who blamed her for their lack of children.
Lindo devised a clever scheme to end her marriage and secure her freedom. She pretended to have a dream in which Tyan-yu's ancestors foretold his death if he remained in the marriage. She also claimed that the ancestors had planted his heir in one of the servant girls, who was of imperial lineage. The servant girl, grateful for a chance to marry into comfort, backed up Lindo's story. Huang Taitai believed Lindo's tale and annulled the marriage. Unaware that Lindo had orchestrated the end of the marriage, she bought Lindo a ticket to America, where she could finally start a new life.
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Frequently asked questions
The candle is a marriage bond. According to tradition, if a candle with wicks at both ends burned for an entire night without either side going out, the marriage could never be broken.
Lindo blows out her husband Tyan-yu's end of the candle.
Lindo wants an excuse not to spend the rest of her life with her husband, who treats her badly.
The servant relights the candle and lies about it burning all night. Lindo eventually devises a plan to escape her marriage by pretending to have a dream in which her ancestors saw the candle burn out on her wedding night.
Yes, Lindo convinces her in-laws that her husband's end of the candle burned out in her dream, foretelling his death if he remained in the marriage. She also claims that her husband impregnated a servant girl, who becomes her husband's new wife. Lindo is granted a divorce and travels to America.
