Feathers from a Thousand Li Away: “Scar”
1. Why were An-mei and her little brother forbidden to speak their mother’s name, when they went to live with their grand mother, Popo?
2. After a few years, An-mei forgot her mother entirely. Why did her mother visit for the first time in five years?
3. As An-mei’s mother brushed An-mei’s hair and caressed a scar on her neck, her memory came rushing back. What was the cause of the scar?
4. Later, just before Pop died, what did An-mei see her mother do? (Hint: it’s about a soup.)
5. Why did An-mei’s mother do this [the answer to #16]?
Lindo Jong: “The Red Candle”
6. When was Lindo promised in marriage to Huang Tyan-yu?
7. Why did Lindo’s mother begin referring to her as the daughter of Tyan-yu’s mother, Huang Taitai?
8. Why did Lindo’s family have to move to another village when she was twelve?
9. How was Lindo treated when she went to live with Tyan-yu’s family?
10. At age sixteen, Lindo was married. Why was she filled with despair on her wedding day?
11. She considered drowning herself in the river but came to a realization, which led her to resolve to honor her parents’ promise, but, at the same time, to do as much for her own happiness as she could. What was this realization? (Hint: she looked out the window.)
12. Briefly explain what their custom related to a red candle is and its significance.
13. Why did the servant run from the room where she was watching the candle?
14. What did Lindo do in the room after #13 happened?
15. Briefly explain how Lindo found a way out of the marriage.
Ying-ying St. Clair: “The Moon Lady”
16. On the day of the Moon Festival, what did Amah, Ying-ying’s nurse, tell her about the Moon Lady?
17. How did Amah tell Ying-ying about voicing her own needs? “a girl can never ask, only __________.”
18. The feast was held in a boat on a lake. Ying-ying watched the chef kill and gut the fish for the meal. After a while, she looked down and realized that her dress was spattered with fish blood and scales. What did she do to hide the specks?
19. How did Amah respond when she saw Ying-ying?
20. How did Ying-ying fall overboard into the water?
21. How was Ying-yng brought ashore?
22. Ying-ying watched a play that was being staged about a Moon Lady. What wish did she make?
The Second Parable
23. In the parable that precedes the second section of the novel, why does the mother not want her seven-year-old daughter to ride her bicycle around the corner?
24. The mother explains that a book, titled The Twenty-six Malignant Gates, details the dangers that can befall her child. But the daughter cannot read the book. Why?
25. When her mother will not tell her what the dangers are, the girl becomes angry and rushes away on her bicycle. And what happens?
Waverly Jong: “Rules of the Game”
26. How did the Jongs get the chess set?
27. Why did Waverly begin to attract attention?
28. Though Lindo gave her daughter preferential treatment, she would force Waverly to come to the market with her. Why?
29. One day, Waverly yelled at her mother in the street, telling her that she was embarrassed. When she returned later that night, what did Lindo say?
30. Waverly went into her room, lay down on the bed and envisioned a chess game. Who was her opponent?
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