The single feather that Mrs. Woo has in The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan represents all the hopeful goals that she has as she leaves China and travels to America. These hopeful thoughts are meant for a daughter that is yet unborn. “I will give her this swan, a creature that became more than what was hoped for."
Mrs. Woo purchases the swan from a dealer who tells her a story about the duck who wanted to stretch its neck to become a goose but it became a swan. This story is a symbol for Mrs. Woo wanting to seek a better life for the daughter she planned to have. Her daughter will have all the advantages in life that Mrs. Woo never had. She carries the swan on her trip to America only to have the animal confiscated as she goes through customs. She is left with the solitary feather which she keeps until it the right time to give it to her daughter. The feather is a symbol for all of the mother’s hopeful dreams for her daughter. "This feather may look worthless, but it comes from afar and carries with it all my good intentions."
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