Genre
Historical fiction novel
Setting and Context
The book is set in the context of Japanese occupation in China.
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narration
Tone and Mood
Frustrating and pessimistic
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is Helen Mulberry Sang
Major Conflict
The main conflict is that Mulberry faces possible deportation from the USA because they are illegal immigrants.
Climax
The climax comes when Mulberry is finally Americanized and changes her name to Peach.
Foreshadowing
Mulberry’s escape from China foreshadowed her bright future.
Understatement
Communism is understated. For instance, the Chinese government arrested anybody who looked like a communist without any tangible evidence.
Allusions
The book alludes to the challenges the communist went through in China and the aftermath of Peach, who became a free woman who spoke her mind and opinions.
Imagery
The images that depict sight imagery are all over the text. For instance, the image of the torch, sun and black sword all aid readers to visualize the setting of the novel.
Paradox
The main irony is that women do not enjoy their sexuality because they were taught to ignore the pleasure of sex. When Peach goes against the traditional views of womanhood, she enjoys her sexual life in America as a free woman.
Parallelism
The freedom of women in American parallels Peach’s experiences when she became Americanized.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
The Chinese culture is embodied as an oppressor of women.
