Synopsis & Basic Details

What is Snow Flower and the Secret Fan about?

• Lifelong female friendship: The novel explores the complex, lifelong relationship between two women, Lily and Snow Flower, in 19th-century China, focusing on their bond as laotong (old sames).
• Cultural and societal constraints: It portrays the harsh realities of women's lives during that era, including footbinding, arranged marriages, and the limited opportunities available to them.
• Secret language and emotional expression: The story highlights the importance of nu shu, a secret women's writing, as a means of communication, emotional expression, and rebellion against societal norms.

Why should I read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan?

• Rich historical and cultural context: The novel offers a detailed and immersive portrayal of 19th-century China, exploring the lives of women within a specific cultural and historical setting.
• Complex and emotional relationships: It delves into the intricacies of female friendship, exploring themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness with depth and nuance.
• Unique perspective on women's experiences: The story provides a rare glimpse into the inner lives of women in a patriarchal society, highlighting their struggles, resilience, and the power of their bonds.

What is the background of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan?

• Historical setting: The novel is set in 19th-century China, during the Qing Dynasty, a time of significant social and political change, including the Taiping Rebellion.
• Cultural context: It explores the traditions and customs of the Yao people, a minority ethnic group in southern China, including footbinding, arranged marriages, and the practice of laotong relationships.
• Secret language: The story is centered around nu shu, a unique writing system used exclusively by women in the Jiangyong region of Hunan province, which served as a means of communication and emotional expression.

What are the most memorable quotes in Snow Flower and the Secret Fan?

• "For my entire life I longed for love. I knew it was not right for me—as a girl and later as a woman—to want or expect it, but I did, and this unjustified desire has been at the root of every problem I have experienced in my life.": This quote encapsulates Lily's lifelong struggle with societal expectations and her yearning for emotional connection.
• "We of good affection shall never sever our bond.": This quote, written by Snow Flower on the fan, represents the initial optimism and deep commitment of their laotong relationship, highlighting the importance of their bond.
• "A true lady lets no ugliness into her life. Only through pain will you have beauty. Only through suffering will you find peace. I wrap, I bind, but you will have the reward.": This quote, repeated by Lily's mother during her footbinding, reveals the harsh realities of women's lives and the cultural belief that suffering leads to beauty and worth.

What writing style, narrative choices, and literary techniques does Lisa See use?

• First-person perspective: The story is narrated by Lily, providing an intimate and personal view of her experiences and emotions, allowing readers to connect deeply with her inner world.
• Non-linear timeline: The narrative shifts between Lily's present reflections as an elderly woman and her memories of the past, creating a layered and complex portrayal of her life and relationships.
• Symbolism and motifs: See uses recurring symbols and motifs, such as the secret fan, footbinding, and the color red, to enhance the thematic depth of the story and connect individual elements to broader cultural and emotional contexts.

Hidden Details & Subtle Connections

What are some minor details that add significant meaning?

• The miniature shoes: Lily's mother's careful stitching of miniature shoes for the altar of Guanyin foreshadows the importance of footbinding in Lily's life and hints at a hidden tenderness beneath her strict exterior.
• The description of Aunt and Uncle: The seemingly throwaway description of Aunt and Uncle as "two ugly people and therefore perfectly matched" highlights the societal emphasis on arranged marriages and the limited options for women.
• The recurring mention of birds: Snow Flower's frequent references to birds, flight, and the sky foreshadow her desire for freedom and her eventual escape from the constraints of her life.

What are some subtle foreshadowing and callbacks?

• The diviner's words: The diviner's statement that Lily is "no ordinary child" foreshadows her unique path in life, including her laotong relationship and her eventual rise to a position of influence.
• Madame Wang's initial visit: Madame Wang's early mention of a potential laotong relationship for Lily foreshadows the central role that Snow Flower will play in her life, even before they meet.
• The story of the woman with three brothers: The story, shared by Aunt, foreshadows the themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the shifting value of women in the novel, mirroring Lily's own experiences.

What are some unexpected character connections?

• Madame Wang and Snow Flower's family: The revelation that Madame Wang is Snow Flower's aunt explains her vested interest in the laotong relationship and adds a layer of complexity to her character.
• Aunt's connection to Gaojia: Aunt's marriage out from Gaojia, Madame Gao's natal village, creates a subtle link between the two matchmakers and highlights the interconnectedness of the villages.
• The Lu family's history: The connection between Snow Flower's family and the Lu family through the jinshi scholar reveals the complex social dynamics and the importance of lineage in their society.

Who are the most significant supporting characters?

• Aunt: As a nu shu literate woman, Aunt serves as a mentor to Lily and Beautiful Moon, teaching them the secret language and providing a glimpse into a world beyond the confines of their daily lives.
• Madame Wang: As the matchmaker, Madame Wang is a powerful figure who shapes the destinies of Lily and Snow Flower, highlighting the influence of women in a patriarchal society.
• Elder Sister: Lily's older sister provides a contrasting perspective on the lives of women, showing the challenges of marriage and the limitations placed on them, while also offering a glimpse into the importance of sworn sisterhoods.

Psychological, Emotional, & Relational Analysis

What are some unspoken motivations of the characters?

• Lily's desire for maternal love: Lily's actions are often driven by her unspoken longing for her mother's affection, which she seeks through obedience and achievement.
• Snow Flower's yearning for freedom: Snow Flower's rebellious spirit and her fascination with birds and flight reveal her unspoken desire to escape the constraints of her life and her family's circumstances.
• Madame Wang's desire for control: Madame Wang's actions are motivated by her desire to maintain her influence and control over the lives of the women she serves, as well as her genuine affection for her niece.

What psychological complexities do the characters exhibit?

• Lily's internal conflict: Lily struggles with her desire for love and acceptance and her resentment towards the societal expectations that limit her freedom and happiness.
• Snow Flower's hidden pain: Snow Flower's outward charm masks her deep-seated pain and insecurity, stemming from her family's misfortunes and her own sense of inadequacy.
• Lily's mother's complex love: Lily's mother's love is a mix of harsh discipline and genuine affection, reflecting the complex and often contradictory nature of maternal love in their culture.

What are the major emotional turning points?

• Lily's realization of her mother's disregard: The day Lily realizes her mother's indifference marks a turning point in her emotional development, fueling her desire for recognition and acceptance.
• The death of Third Sister and Grandmother: The deaths of Third Sister and Grandmother during footbinding highlight the fragility of life and the harsh realities of their society, impacting Lily's understanding of her own mortality.
• Lily's discovery of Snow Flower's lies: The revelation of Snow Flower's family's true circumstances and her hidden struggles shatters Lily's idealized view of their friendship, leading to feelings of betrayal and disillusionment.

How do relationship dynamics evolve?

• Lily and Snow Flower's bond: Their relationship evolves from a shared secret and mutual admiration to a complex mix of love, loyalty, betrayal, and regret, reflecting the challenges of maintaining deep-heart love.
• Lily and her mother: Their relationship evolves from one of obedience and longing to one of resentment and a desire for independence, highlighting the complexities of mother-daughter dynamics.
• Lily and Madame Wang: Their relationship evolves from one of suspicion and resentment to a grudging respect, as Lily comes to understand the matchmaker's motivations and the limitations of her own perspective.

Interpretation & Debate

Which parts of the story remain ambiguous or open-ended?

• The true nature of Snow Flower's feelings: The extent of Snow Flower's love for Lily and her motivations for her actions remain open to interpretation, leaving readers to question the depth and sincerity of her emotions.
• The impact of societal constraints: The novel leaves open the question of whether the characters' lives were ultimately determined by their circumstances or if they had the power to shape their own destinies.
• The meaning of deep-heart love: The novel explores different types of love, but the true meaning of deep-heart love remains ambiguous, leaving readers to ponder its complexities and limitations.

What are some debatable, controversial scenes or moments in Snow Flower and the Secret Fan?

• Lily's Song of Vituperation: Lily's public humiliation of Snow Flower is a controversial moment, raising questions about the nature of friendship, betrayal, and the limits of forgiveness.
• The depiction of footbinding: The novel's graphic portrayal of footbinding can be seen as both a necessary depiction of a brutal practice and a potentially exploitative use of suffering.
• The ending: The ending, with Lily's regret and Snow Flower's death, can be interpreted as either a tragic commentary on the limitations of female friendship or a hopeful message about the enduring power of love and memory.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan Ending Explained: How It Ends & What It Means

• Snow Flower's death: Snow Flower's death, after a long illness, marks the end of their physical relationship, but it also serves as a catalyst for Lily's self-reflection and her understanding of deep-heart love.
• Lily's final act of remembrance: Lily's decision to write down her story and burn it for Snow Flower in the afterworld signifies her attempt to make amends for her past actions and to honor their bond.
• The enduring legacy of their friendship: The ending emphasizes the lasting impact of their relationship, suggesting that even in the face of death and separation, their love and shared experiences will continue to resonate through time.