"I think I've always been somebody, since the deaths of my father and brother, who was afraid to hope. So, I was more prepared for failure and for rejection than for success"

In this quote, Amy Tan shares an extensive insight into her personal emotional landscape, exposing how previous traumas have actually formed her expectations and outlook on life. The deaths of her daddy and brother represent considerable developmental events that promoted a sense of apprehension about hope itself. This fear of hope can be understood as a protective system; by not allowing herself to hope, Tan might possibly secure herself from the discomfort of dissatisfaction. In essence, it is easier to handle failure and rejection when one is psychologically braced for it than to challenge the shattering of confident goals.

Tan's phrasing suggests a life coped with a significant degree of caution and a protective posture towards the future. Such an attitude is not unusual amongst those who have experienced extensive loss; it reflects the mental tendency to anticipate the worst in order to protect oneself from it. This mindset often results in a paradoxical comfort in expecting unfavorable outcomes, as these are seen as more specific or foreseeable than success, which feels more evasive and less manageable.

Her use of the word "ready" shows an active option or method in approaching life's unpredictabilities. It likewise reveals a vulnerability, as getting ready for failure or rejection implies an anticipation of insufficiency or possibly an absence of entitlement to success. Despite this defensive preparation, Tan's reference of being "afraid to hope" highlights an internal struggle-- a conflict in between wanting to protect oneself from hurt and the natural human desire to find joy and satisfaction.

Ultimately, the quote exposes the intricacy of human psychological strength. It highlights how previous experiences, specifically traumatic ones, can deeply affect an individual's expectations and create patterns of self-preservation that are challenging to get rid of. Yet, implicit in Tan's reflection is a hope that acknowledging these fears might be the first step towards welcoming success and enabling oneself the vulnerability to hope once again.