46 pages 1 hour read

Rules of the Game

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1989

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Introduction

“Rules of the Game”

  • Genre: Fiction; short story
  • Originally Published: 1989
  • Reading Level/Interest: College/adult
  • Structure/Length: Approx. 12 pages
  • Protagonist and Central Conflict: Waverly Place Jong, daughter of Chinese immigrants, becomes enthralled with her brother’s discarded chess set, becoming a national champion by age nine. When Waverly runs away from her mother and doesn’t return for several hours, she learns that her tournament opponents aren’t her biggest opponents—her mother is.
  • Potential Sensitivity Issues: Conflict between parent and child; manipulation by a child; child running away

Amy Tan, Author

  • Bio: Born 1952 in Oakland, California; moved frequently while growing up; attended several colleges, eventually earning a master’s degree in linguistics; worked as a language development specialist; turned to fiction writing in an effort to balance freelance jobs; short stories attracted the attention of a literary agent and potential publishers; earned fame with the publication of The Joy Luck Club; served as a lecturer, TED Talk presenter, Sesame Street guest, and Rock Bottom Remainders band member
  • Other Works: The Kitchen God’s Wife (1991); The Hundred Secret Senses (1995); The Bonesetter’s Daughter (2001); Saving Fish from Drowning (2005); The Valley of Amazement (2013)
  • Awards: The Joy Luck Club: Finalist, National Book Awards for Fiction (1989); National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist (1989); ALA Best Books for Young Adults (1990)

Related Titles

By Amy Tan