The reason why the author might have written the scene with such a serious tone is:
- The narrator in "Rules of the Game" knows the importance of being obedient and being "a good girl" in Chinese culture.
- Having a Chinese mother, she knows she should answer the Santa Claus's question seriously, solemnly, and so she does. She solemnly replies that she has been a "very, very good girl."
- The narrator in "Rules of the Game,", a short story by Amy Tan, is Waverly Jong, the daughter of Chinese immigrants.
- There is a scene that, although seemingly simple, is described by the narrator with a serious tone:
<em>"[Santa] then </em><em>solemnly </em><em>asked if I had been a very, very </em><em>good</em><em> </em><em>girl </em><em>this year and did I believe in Jesus Christ and </em><em>obey </em><em>my parents. I knew the only answer to that. I nodded back with equal </em><em>solemnity</em><em>."</em>
- The man who is dressed like Santa is most likely asking such questions to every single child he talks to.
- His solemn tone is probably a part of his role as Santa, to sound as if it matter if the child has behaved or not in order to receive presents.
- However, the question have serious implications for Waverly. She answers solemnly because she takes them seriously.
- Having Chinese parents, she has learned the importance of being obedient and of behaving.
- In conclusion, we can say the narrator uses such a serious tone to show that Waverly, being raised by Chinese parents, understands the importance of being a good, obedient girl.
Learn more about the story here:
brainly.com/question/16876429
