Essay Questions

What is a tea master?

In the context of the novel, a tea master is the single person in a town who is responsible for finding, cultivating, and guarding the diminishing stores of water. This water, which has dissipated across the world because of climate change, is the only thing which will ensure the survival of humanity. Noria and the rest of the tea masters were given their positions because of their ancestors. Noria's father, for instance, tragically dies one day and Noria is chosen to become her town's next tea master.

Why has water become scarce on the Earth?

Water has become scarce on the Earth because of humanity. For one, continuous and intense war has destroyed much of the world and has caused pollution to seep into the world's environment. War is not the only reason that water has become scarce on Earth in the novel. Global warning caused by humans has also caused the supply of water to significantly decrease on the Earth, with no real possibility of the supply of water increasing.

How has the world changed after water has become scarce?

The world has changed dramatically in the world of the novel after water has become scarce. Before water becoming scarce, the war was at relative peace. Now, in the novel, the world is seemingly constantly at war, with countries across the world fighting each other. Additionally, China has conquered and rules Europe. The European Union has disbanded, and the Scandinavian Union has formed under the power of the state called New Qian.