Genre
Autobiographical novel
Setting and Context
The book is set in the context of the protagonist's struggles.
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narrative
Tone and Mood
The tone is touching, and the mood is sad.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist of the story is hu Taiming.
Major Conflict
The major conflict is that Taiwan is annexed to Japan, and the pressure to change everything, including the education system, to Japanese s intense. Taiming finds himself at crossroads as he struggles with cultural changes. At some point, Taiming is forced to abandon the cultural values instilled to him by his grandfather.
Climax
The climax is when Taiming disappears without a trace after he becomes insane. There are only speculations about his well-being.
Foreshadowing
The annexing of Taiwan by Japan foreshadowed cultural change for Taiming.
Understatement
The traditional teachings the protagonist receives from his grandfather are underestimated because the Japanese system of education in Taiwan destroys the traditional values.
Allusions
The story alludes to cultural changes resulting from the annexing of Taiwan by Japan.
Imagery
The picture of Taiming’s home depicts smell and sight imageries.
Paradox
Taiming is a paradoxical character. For instance, despite having the best education, he fails to deliver a coherent introductory speech at his new school where he is supposed to teach.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
The term ‘annexing’ is used to refer seizing of Taiwan by the Japanese.
Personification
N/A
