This is the first book in the series recommended by Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Ohio for their book club project.
The New York Times Book Reviewer Janet Maslin wrote (in 2005): The exotica, fetishism and soap opera in Lisa See's novel of 19th-century China, "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan," make for a fragrant mix. Or at least they make a learning experience out of what might otherwise be more frankly perverse. The book describes a very intense friendship between two women, Lily and Snow Flower, who are linked together more closely than lovers. The only bonds tighter than the ones uniting these two souls are the agonizing ties applied to their precious young feet.
Author Lisa See wrote on her website: An old woman tells of her relationship with her "old-same," their arranged marriages, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood—until a terrible misunderstanding written on their secret fan threatens to tear them apart. With the detail and emotional resonance of Memoirs of a Geisha , Snow Flower and the Secret Fan delves into one of the most mysterious and treasured relationships of all time—female friendship.
Here are some Book Club Discussion questions, posted on the author's website: http://www.lisasee.com/
Posts
3 comments:
Wow, I just started this last night and thought about it all day. The description of the footbinding process was physically disturbing, but I think more frightening theme is the pervasive suppresion of her personality through constant chanting of messages about how to be a "good wife, daughter, mother." What messages do we American daughters repeat and question only fleetingly if at all.
As this story unfolds, I am struck by the depth of emotion in these girls' writings conveyed despite their strict adherence to the format dictated by their secret language. Remember trying to write secret notes to each other (in grade school)? The author asked in her discussion questions why the men didn't stop women from writing in the secret script. I think they were as locked into their traditions as the women were in theirs, and the man's tradition was to allow the women to manage "womens'things" as long as it didn't interfere with his needs.
First I just want to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Typically I don’t like stories from the Far East only because I usually cannot identify with the characters. However, this book was different.
Also, to me the tone of how Lily’s character would become was summed up in the very first part of the book when she was small and could not get noticed or loved by her mother. Her entire life was spent looking for recognition and love.
• As the narrator, is Lily portrayed as the heroine or the villain? I see her as neither. I think she did heroic things as well as somewhat villainous. But that is how everyone is to some degree. What are her flaws or strengths? Her biggest flaw was her rigidity and inability to see the truth. Her strengths were her determination and trying to rectify her misdeeds. Did you identify strongly with one character in the story? How did you feel about that? I don’t know that I identified with one more than the other. There were traits from Lily and Snow Flower that I could identify with to some degree.
• Do "old sames" still exist today? Do you have an "old same"? I believe so, although our “old sames” are by choice. And I believe that to be better. I have a friend that I would consider my “soul” sister so that to me is an “old same.” The difference is we do not judge each other whereas, in this story, Lily did with Snow Flower.
• If men knew that nu shu existed, why do you think they ignored it or allowed it to continue? I don’t think they cared because it was between women who were lesser than they thought they were. What purpose did it serve in the household/community? It kept the women’s community alive and allowed the women to have a voice. I think there would have been more suicides from women if they had not had that type of outlet.
• How would this story differ if it were told from Snow Flower's perspective? I think she would have been more accepting of Lily and it definitely would have been an even darker story with the way her life turned out. Would she have felt the need to clarify/resolve anything with Lily? I think she would have tried to resolve the misunderstanding about the sworn sisters.
• Do you think the author was describing a sexual relationship either ongoing or not, in the story or that it was in fact sexual in nature? Was it important to the storyline? Why do you think the author included that in the story? I think that it was important in that it was an exploration between Lily and Snow Flower. When they were young girls and becoming aware of their sexuality, I think it was normal. Because in many ways they were “married” as women in their relationship as “old sames” (until death), I thought it was a natural part of their “marriage.” It didn’t bother me one way or the other.
• If the traditions and ramifications of not footbinding still existed do you think you would participate in foot binding? Would your daughter with or without your support? Do we have any similar traditions that bind us? Hmmm… this is an interesting question. I don’t think I would force my daughter to do it because of the chance of death. Because it was such an important part of the social structure, I may do it. What’s worse – footbinding or becoming a little daughter-in-law which was just an awful fate for a woman? We do things now to become better than others with plastic surgery, breast implants and other horrid practices. I wouldn’t do it but it is a part of our culture today.
• The word for mother was described as meaning pain and love. Do you as a daughter or mother see that as still being very true? Yes. Mothers will always be both. How so? Mothers have to do things that sometimes hurt their children but if it is done with love, then what more can we ask for? I don’t think Lily’s mother did what she did out of love. I think she did it for her own personal gains.
• This was a story of pain and regret, but was it also a story of atonement?
• The narrator talks about the Chinese women as weak and powerless, do you agree with that conclusion? Absolutely not.Why or why not? They were taught they were weak and powerless but to go through footbinding and to live life everyday under the restraints and mental anguish they faced everyday made them strong.
• When you think about the communication vehicle that nu shu provided - what do you in text messages and email that might actually have some of the same potential for misinterpretation/ambiguity? Now we use text abbreviations and we email in a format that does not convey feeling (or even full sentences) which could definitely be misconstrued… and has been so in my experience.
• Madame Wang was a foot bound woman, but she also did business directly with men. What was her status/role in the community and do you think she was respected, feared, trusted, or considered merely a "necessary evil." I admired Madame Wang for doing what she had to do to survive and be a business woman. She was a necessary evil in many eyes but also respected.
The other thing I wanted to say is I was somewhat envious of how the men and women were separated. The women had a sisterhood and could spend time with other women. Having festivals where they could come together. In our culture, we don’t have that and it’s a shame.
Post a Comment