The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan brings to light for the reader many characteristics of both new and old world traditions. Old world traditions are the customs and beliefs practiced in one's native country. The novel introduces the reader to the difficulties encountered when the environment and neighbors change. American customs, or New World traditions, seem to prevail in the thoughts of Chinese-American daughters; thus encouraging mothers to emphasize old world traditions on their children. Mothers also try to bring the best of both worlds to their children to improve their children's lives. As children mature, they realize the true value of their Chinese heritage and try to maintain the Chinese characteristics they possess. In The Joy Luck Club, traits of the old and new world are gained and lost by the novel's characters to benefit them and strengthen their mental strength. The children in The Joy Luck Club acquire many old-world and new-world characteristics that make up new people. The novel presents us with characters who have lost their inner soul that contains their Chinese heritage. Mothers know that Chinese traditions and language are a necessary factor in dealing with everyday life. Mothers also know that new American traditions are necessary to succeed in their new home. The mothers encourage the English language, but also want to preserve the Chinese language. The most important new thought acquired by children and mothers is the “American Dream”. They believe that anything is possible in America and that their dreams can be realized through their children. “My mother believed you could be anything you wanted in America… you could be instantly famous.” (Tan 141). Even children become proud of their native country; increase their self-esteem and bring new strength into them. People cannot be accepted into society without accepting themselves. One must accept one's heritage and be proud of one's heritage for other people to respect them. The mothers in the novel try to teach this lesson to their children. The moment our train leaves the Hong Kong border and enters Shenzhen, China, I feel different. I feel a tingling on the skin of my forehead, the blood flowing in a new course, my bones aching with an old, familiar pain. And I think my mother was right.