Genre
Chinese Novel
Setting and Context
Set in the late 19th century
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narrative
Tone and Mood
Somber and disheartening
Protagonist and Antagonist
The central character is Master Guan.
Major Conflict
The conflict is that Master Guan is abusive and mistreats his troupe by beating them close to death.
Climax
The climax comes in 1997 when Shitou and Douzi reunite.
Foreshadowing
Master Guan’s brutality foreshadows the death of Laizi.
Understatement
The viciousness of Master Guan is understated. Despite beating members of his troupe nearly to death, he has prioritized profit over the welfare of his people.
Allusions
The novel alludes to real-life scenarios and occurrences that actors go through in the hands of their masters.
Imagery
The imagery of horror and death is evident in the novel. Through the imagery of death, the reader sees how Liz and Douzi die due to their master’s brutality.
Paradox
The main paradox is that people are discriminated against in their gender roles. For instance, Douzi is a homosexual, but he cannot enjoy his sexuality.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
An act of mercy is a metonymy for affection and love towards the homeless.
Personification
N/A
