The story written by Amy Tan, Rules of the Game" opens with an anecdotal reference to the store with the forbidden candies, causing the reader to notice from the beginning of the story Meimei being conditioned by the social elements. Meimei is being taught about "invisible strength" from her mother (qtd. Cassill and Bausch, 1471). In this essay I will examine the role the social and physical environments had in the conditioning of Meimei; including the conflict between American and Chinese culture.
             The first two paragraphs of the story show the reader the importance of the social elements and encourage the reader to watch carefully throughout the rest of the story to observe the effect these social lessons have on the conditioning of Meimei. Meimei's mother was teaching her the "art of invisible strength" (1471). Why was this important for Meimei to learn? "It was a strategy for winning arguments, respect from others, and eventually, though neither of us knew it at the time, chess games" (1471). This is a life lesson; the invisible strength is something Meimei will use for the rest of her life.
             Her mother continues on to lesson two, "the wind" (1471). "The wind" is her mother teaching her how important Chinese culture and tradition are to the Chinese people. Such things as personal courage, inner strength, ancestral wisdom and one's conscience are all important aspects of the Chinese culture that are throughout the story. The climax of "the wind" comes at the end of the story. In Meimei's dream, "She wore a triumphant smile. Strongest wind cannot be seen" (1479).
             There are social environments spread throughout the entire story in smaller pieces. Remarks such as "my mother imparted her daily truths so she could help my older brothers and me rise above our circumstances". Vincent being told to throw the chess set away. "Sh...