Characters
Who is Jung-Sum?
The second brother
What city does the story take place in?
Vancouver
What is cultural identity?
This theme is explored through the characters’ struggles to balance their Chinese heritage with their Canadian upbringing.
What is the jade peony?
Is special to the family and it represents the family’s traditional values and their heritage and it is a reminder of that after the death of Poh-Poh
Who is Jook-Liangs mentor/bestfriend in the beginning of the book?
The Monkey Man
Who is Poh-Poh?
The grandmother
what time period is the story set in?
1940
What is grief?
The novel deals with this theme by showing how each family member copes with the passing of Poh-Poh.
What do the Wind Chimes symbolize?
They “sing” the grandmothers song and represent the stories and lessons she taught Sek-Lung
How many different perspectives are there?
3
Who is Jook-Liang?
The only daughter
what war was taking place during the story?
World War 2
What is generational conflict?
This theme is evident in the way different generations of the family have contrasting views on traditions and modernity.
What does the boxing gym symbolize?
Jung-Sum accepting his sexuality and discovering himself
Which sibling is always sick?
Sek-Lung
Who is Frank Yuen?
Jung-Sums mentor at the boxing gym
What was a street name that was mentioned in the book?
hastings, kent, pender, main
What is cultural heritage?
The jade peony symbolizes this theme, representing the family's connection to their cultural roots.
What does their house symbolize?
Them holding onto their culture even though the world around them is changing
Which Sibling was adopted?
Jung-Sum
Who is Meiying?
Sek-Lung’s babysitter
Where in Vancouver does the story take place?
Chinatown
What is discrimination?
This theme is reflected in the prejudice and racism the family faces as Chinese immigrants in Canada.
What does the park symbolize?
It symbolizes the war between the Japenese and the Chinese
Why were flashbacks important to the story?
Because they help the reader connect to the story and give the characters emotional depth