Characters & Relationships
Who are the two main characters in The China Coin?
Leah and Joan.
What theme is central to The China Coin?
Identity and Belonging
What is one technique used to show Leah’s discomfort in China?
Imagery of noise, crowds, confusion.
In which decade is The China Coin set?
Late 1980s.
Define “individual human experience”
A personal, unique, or private experience shaped by situation, background, or perspective
How does Leah feel about travelling to China at the start?
Reluctant, disconnected, resistant.
How is the human experience of displacement shown?
Leah feels caught between Australian and Chinese cultures.
Quote: “The coin was heavy in her hand.” What does this symbolise?
The weight of family history and heritage.
What political event is referenced in the novel?
Tiananmen Square protests, 1989.
Define “collective human experience”
Experiences that are shared, common, or universal among groups, societies, or communities.
What changes in Leah and Joan’s relationship by the end?
They grow closer, gaining mutual respect and understanding.
Which theme is shown when Leah sees protests in Tiananmen Square?
The collective human experience of struggle for freedom and democracy.
How does the novel use contrast between city and countryside?
To show different aspects of Chinese identity and culture.
Why is understanding Chinese culture important for Leah’s journey?
It helps her connect to her identity and family history.
Give 3 human experiences in The China Coin.
Identity, Belonging, alienation
Which human experience is reflected in their mother–daughter conflict?
Relationship conflict; identity struggles.
How does the coin symbolise human experiences?
It represents heritage, family connection, and identity.
“She felt like a stranger in her own skin.” What human experience does this express?
Alienation and identity conflict.
How does the novel reflect the collective human experience of change?
China’s rapid political and social transformation mirrors Leah’s personal growth.
How is the paradox of human experience shown in the novel?
Leah feels both pride and alienation in relation to her heritage.
How does Leah’s personal journey reflect the universal experience of searching for belonging?
She moves from disconnection to acceptance of her Chinese heritage.
How does the novel show both personal and collective human experiences?
Leah’s personal growth mirrors China’s wider struggle for identity and change.
Quote: “She realised she was no longer just a tourist. China was part of her, and she was part of China.”
How does this represent the human experience of identity and connection?
Leah’s transformation from feeling alienated to recognising belonging. It reflects the universal human experience of searching for identity and finding connection through culture and heritage.
How does Joan’s determination to trace her family history reflect cultural continuity?
It shows the human experience of wanting to keep cultural identity alive and pass traditions to future generations.
What is the full name of the author?
Allan Baillie.