Genre
Fiction, Asian-American Fiction, Historical Novel
Setting and Context
Shanghai, during the time of courtesan houses
Narrator and Point of View
The point of view is that of Violet, the protagonist of the novel.
Tone and Mood
The tone is one of resentment and frustration; the mood is one of gross unfairness and a sense of what might have been.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Violet is the protagonist; although at first glance her mother might seem to be the antagonist, it is actually the structure of Chinese society that enables men to use women as courtesans is actually the antagonist.
Major Conflict
There is conflict between Violet and her mother because Violet feels horribly betrayed when her mother moves to San Francisco in order to meet her son for the first time.
Climax
At the end of the novel Violet has reunited with both her mother and her daughter and is able to see her life in a positive light.
Foreshadowing
Edward, the father of Violet's child, is already married, which foreshadows his taking Flora from Violet without her consent.
Understatement
Women are said to be treated unfairly which is a huge understatement; they seem to have no rights whatsoever.
Allusions
The author alludes to the historical era in China in which women were to all intents and purposes enslaved and were able to be sold to the highest bidder.
Imagery
N/A
Paradox
Violet begins to understand why her mother left her after having her own daughter taken from her against her will.
Parallelism
There is a parallel between the lives of Violet and her mother in that both women gave birth to children that they were prevented from keeping.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
The courtesan house is the phrase used to describe all of the different women confined to it.
Personification
N/A
