The introduction of the Joy Luck Club starts off with the symbol of a swan. It was once a duck that transformed into a goose, and eventually to a swan. This symbol represents the hard work of a mother to help her kids to be successful in the future, even before they are born. However, the mother lost all her hard work and had to start off new again in America.

This Asian parent mindset of working hard during their time of growth is very common in the Asian culture. Parents worry most about their offspring, no matter how hard it takes for them to set their child's life in a good start. However, many times things happen, which result in hard work in vain.