Tyan-yu Character Analysis in The Joy Luck Club

Lindo’s former husband. They are betrothed when Tyan-yu is only one year old. Incredibly spoiled by his mother, Tyan-yu grows up to be an immature, underdeveloped adolescent who wants nothing to do with Lindo or their expected marital activities. This leads to Lindo view her young husband as a brother figure, but also to want nothing to do with the marriage.

Tyan-yu Character Timeline in The Joy Luck Club

The timeline below shows where the character Tyan-yu appears in The Joy Luck Club. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...describing her arranged marriage in China when she was two years old and her betrothed, Tyan-yu, was one. Tyan-yu comes from a wealthy family, and is spoiled by his overbearing mother,... (full context)

Mother-Daughter Relationships Theme Icon

...luck. Once in Huang Taitai’s home, Lindo is treated like a lowly servant, waiting on Tyan-yu and living in the kitchen. (full context)

...Lindo gradually loses her own opinions and dreams, brainwashed by Huang Taitai to believe that Tyan-yu is her god to serve, “whose opinion was worth much more than [her] own life.” (full context)

...sixteenth birthday, Huang Taitai is anxious for a grandson, and plans a lavish wedding for Tyan-yu and Lindo. However, Japanese troops invade adjacent provinces during the wedding week and no guests... (full context)

...display. According to tradition, a candle is decorated with her name on one end and Tyan-yu’s name on the other, and the two ends are simultaneously burned. If the candle stays... (full context)

...thunder and leaves her post. In that moment, Lindo rushes over without hesitation and blows Tyan-yu’s candle end out. The next morning however, Huang Taitai proudly shows the burnt candle, and... (full context)

After the wedding, Lindo falls into a comfortable, platonic relationship with Tyan-yu, caring for him like a sister and sleeping on his sofa at his request. Months... (full context)

...after, in a frenzied performance, Lindo tells an elaborate story to Huang Taitai, saying that Tyan-yu’s ancestors came to her in a dream, and told her that the marriage candle had... (full context)