Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on litcharts. In a time when beauty was judged by tiny feet, the two girls endured the grotesque practice of footbinding. But apart from who i was with snow flower, i was resolved to be an honorable wife, a praiseworthy daughterinlaw, and a scrupulous mother. This was the beautiful narrative of two friends, lily and snow flower. In her fourth book, see has triumphed, writing an achingly beautiful, understated and absorbing story of lovesnow flower and the secret fan is so rich in. Snow flower and the secret fan is an honor book of the adult literature of the asianamerican award for literature. I had a greater and deeper love for her than i could ever feel for a person who was my husband. Its a gripping, period story taking place in the later 1820s in china.
But a bitter reversal of fortune is about to change everything. Jan 02, 2007 snow flower and the secret fan, by lisa see, was set in nineteenth century china, amongst ageold traditions. Snow flower and the secret fan is a lovely, delicate story of two women in nineteenthcentury china, who pledge themselves to be soulmates for life at the young age of seven. For the film, see snow flower and the secret fan film. Snow flower and the secret fan is achingly beautiful, a marvel of imagination of a real and secret world that has only. I put the book down, got distracted by another book, and never returned, but i always wanted to. Snow flower and the secret fan is a 2011 historical drama film based on the novel of the same name written by lisa see. Not only does snow flower and the secret fan extensively cover the womans place and life in premodern china, but its also a tale about sisterhood, trust and empathy, as well as just being a good human being, no matter what your circumstances are or failing to be one. Revisiting the bonds of friendship in lisa sees snow flower and. Snow flower and the secret fan inside snow flower and the secret fan. Reading guide for snow flower and the secret fan by lisa see. Instant downloads of all 1296 litchart pdfs including snow flower and the secret fan.
The warring matchmakers are marvelous characters, and the story made me recall the girl closest to my own laotong. I cant remember if a friend gave me her copy or if i got it from the library, but i got to the parts about the process of foot binding and needed some time. Lily has beautiful feet, once theyre broken and bound, which should attract her a desirable husband. Snow flower and the secret fan by lisa see goodreads. Snow flower secret fan by lisa see, first edition abebooks. In her introduction to the novel, see writes that lily, the narrator, was born on june 5, 1824the fifth day of the sixth month of the third year of the daoguang emperors reign. Aug 15, 2005 snow flower and the secret fan by lisa see 258 pages. Lily prepares to leave her village, her family and snow flower, for her arranged marriage. Snow flower and the secret fan study guide from litcharts.
Snow flower and the secret fan official trailer youtube. They communicate in a secret written language, and together they endure the agony of footbinding, and reflect upon their arranged marriages, shared loneliness, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood until a misunderstanding arises and threatens to tear. This 39page guide for snow flower and the secret fan by lisa see includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 17 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. In nineteenthcentury china, sevenyearold lily is paired with a laotong, old same, in an emotional match that will last a lifetime. As movies about female bonding go, snow flower and the secret fan is thin tea. Snow flower and the secret fan in my opinion i think of lily as being a tragic heroine. In 19thcentury china, sevenyearold girls snow flower and lily. Book club discussion guide caledon public library home. Lily is the main character and firstperson narrator of her life story. Snow flower and the secret fan, lisa see snow flower and the secret fan is a 2005 novel by lisa see set in nineteenthcentury china.
Snow flower and the secret fan, by lisa see, was set in nineteenth century china, amongst ageold traditions. Book club questions for snow flower and the secret fan lisa. In nineteenth century china, two girls named snow flower gianna jun and lily li bing bing are forever bonded. More of fried green tomatoes would have been preferable. The exotica, fetishism and soap opera in lisa sees novel of 19thcentury china, snow flower and the secret fan, make. Amy tan, author of the joy luck club and the opposite of fate. I read snow flower and the secret fan about 4 or 5 years ago and loved the book. Items below should reflect chinas village life in the nineteenth century. Inspired by the bestselling novel snow flower and the secret fan by lisa see, the film is a timeless portrait of female friendship. Love is one of many themes in snow flower and the secret fan. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Snow flower and the secret fan is a brilliantly realistic journey back to an era of chinese history that is as deeply moving as it is sorrowful. Snow flower and the secret fan signed a novel of friendship between two girls in 19th century china is presented in this bestseller. The author sees snow flower and the secret fan as a novel about love and regret, but do you think theres also an element of atonement in it as well 9.
May 07, 2007 the author sees snow flower and the secret fan as a novel about love and regret, but do you think theres also an element of atonement in it as well 9. Jul 20, 2011 as movies about female bonding go, snow flower and the secret fan is thin tea. The wellproduced snow flower and the secret fan has certain things also going for it in its rare thoughtful exploration of the friendship between two women, coupled with how china has a. Lily is the main character and firstperson narrator of. The novel begins in 1903, when lily is 80 years old.
Snow flower and the secret fan is a triumph on every level, a beautiful, heartbreaking story washington post you can relish sees extraordinary novel as a meticulously researched account of womens lives in nineteenthcentury china. Using nu shu, a secret script designed and kept by women, lily spends her final years recounting her training as a woman, her longing for love and the central friendship of her life. The story opens in modern shanghai, where we meet lily, an upwardbound executive, and sophia, who has. Jul 01, 2005 using nu shu, a secret script designed and kept by women, lily spends her final years recounting her training as a woman, her longing for love and the central friendship of her life. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one. Snow flower and the secret fan english flashcards quizlet. The snow flower and the secret fan quotes below are all either spoken by lily or refer to lily. Buy snow flower and the secret fan reprint by see, lisa isbn. With bingbing li, jihyun jun, vivian wu, russell wong. Snow flower and the secret fan, a movie based on the lisa see book, explores foot binding and the relationships of two pairs of women during two periods of history. Teach your students to analyze literature like litcharts does. Snow flower and the secret fan quotes showing of 69 read a thousand books, and your words will flow like a river.
Snow flower and the secret fan is a 2005 novel by lisa see set in nineteenthcentury china. Discussion questions snow flower and the secret fan. Snow flower and the secret fan is so rich in psychology, feminine high stakes and marital intrigue that it evokes the work of jane austen. To prepare for her new life, she must undergo the agonies of footbinding, learn nu shu, the famed secret womens writing, and make a very special friend, snow flower. Find books like snow flower and the secret fan from the worlds largest community of readers. As the years pass, lily and snow flower send messages on. Snow flower and the secret fan 2011 rotten tomatoes. This novel is a perfect example that everybody needs love in their life. Snow flower and the secret fan a story set in 19th century china and centered on the lifelong friendship between two girls who develop their own secret code as a way to contend with the rigid cultural norms imposed on women. Snow flower and the secret fan is achingly beautiful, a marvel of imagination of a real and secret world that has only recently disappeared.
But before her departure, snow flower gives her a secret gift. A story set in nineteenthcentury china and focusing on the lifelong friendship between two girls who develop their own secret code as a way to contend with the rigid social norms imposed on women. With the period detail and deep resonance of memoirs of a geisha, this lyrical and emotionally charged novel delves into one of the most mysterious of human relationships. Soppy and sentimental, it evokes divine secrets of the yaya sisterhood without improving on it. Snow flower and the secret fan summary and study guide. In a time when beauty was judged by tiny feet, the two girls endured the. Born, in 1823, into an ordinary farming family, lily. Snow flower and the secret fan summary from litcharts the. She was taught to honor duty and ones place in society even when events challenged that sense of duty and place i. A story set in 19th century china and centered on the lifelong friendship between two girls who develop their own secret code as a way to contend with the rigid cultural norms imposed on women. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on.
The story focuses on the rigorous lady lessons endured by laotongs sworn sisters lily and snow flower. Snow flower and the secret fan 2011 pg drama, history. In groups, you will research one of the following items. We live at the whim and pleasure of others, which is why what snow flower and her mother had done. Born, in 1823, into an ordinary farming family, lily might not have ended up as a wealthy matriarch. In the story, we are told again and again that women are weak and worthless. Men in china feel about womens feet as men in west do about a womans legs. Summary lisa sees novel snow flower and the secret fan takes place in china during the 1800s. In nineteenthcentury china, where a womans eligibility is judged by the shape and size of her feet, this is extraordinary good luck. Snow flower and the secret fan by lisa see 258 pages.
They have known each other for almost their whole life and have a deep love for each other. Snow flower and the secret fan by lisa see book club. Snow flower and the secret fan summary from litcharts. Goodreads members who liked snow flower and the secret fan. The author sees snow flower and the secret fan as a novel about love and regret, but do you think theres also an element of atonement in it as well. Snow flower and the secret fan by lisa see overdrive. Reading guide for snow flower and the secret fan by lisa see discussion guide for book clubs. A story set in nineteenthcentury china and focusing on the lifelong friendship between two girls who develop their own secret code as a way to contend with the rigid social norms imposed on.
In her introduction to the novel, see writes that lily, the narrator, was born on june 5, 1824the fifth day of the sixth month of the third year of the daoguang emperor s reign. In what ways did lily and snow flower show their strength and value. Although the truth is stretched to accommodate the relationship, the laotongs are supposed to have eight characters that. In rural hunan province, a county in china, lily and her friend snow flower are a laotong pair whose sisterly relationship is far stronger and closer than a husband and wifes. This study guide consists of approximately 47 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of snow flower and the secret fan. Lily is the daughter of a humble farmer, and to her family she is just another expensive mouth to feed. It is a story so mesmerizing the pages float away and the story remains clearly before us from beginning to end.
Snow flower and the secret fan by lisa see, paperback. Directed by wayne wang, the film stars gianna jun, li bingbing, archie kao, vivian wu, and hugh jackman. Snow flower and the secret fan is a wonderful story about the friendship between two women, laotongs, who endure a lifetime of trials and tribulations enduring the pressures of their culture and traditions in 1800s china. Jul 25, 2011 lily prepares to leave her village, her family and snow flower, for her arranged marriage. Snow flower and the secret fan lisa sees official website. Snow flower and the secret fan is a 2005 novel by lisa see set in nineteenth century china. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Mar 14, 2011 inspired by the bestselling novel snow flower and the secret fan by lisa see, the film is a timeless portrait of female friendship. Praised by amy tan, maxine hong kingston, and arthur golden, snow flower and the secret fan is lisa sees fourth novel and was published in 2005. That was snow flower and the secret fan by lisa see random house, 2006 for me. Lisa sees 2005 novel snow flower and the secret fan presents a bond. Lily endures excruciating pain in order to have her feet bound. Love can be expressed in the most indirect, but effective ways. The book describes a very intense friendship between two women.
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