The nature of young Asian girls to compare their lives with others is evident in the novel. Is this comparison more similar to competition or is it a form self-improvement? 

As a member of the Asian culture, I have experienced this trend of comparison. Based on my experience, this comparison is more of a self-improvement because when I realize that I am far behind the standards of others, I try to improve myself. However, there is no form of competition present because it is difficult to continue to have a friendly environment with competition. 

In The Joy Luck Club, most of the girls compare themselves with others to put themselves down. Some of them believe that they can never be prodigies while others believe that they are better.