"Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" Characters Analysis

Character Analysis: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

List of Characters

Role Identification

Lily

Lily serves as the protagonist and the narrator of the story. As the central character, Lily guides the reader through her life and the intricacies of her relationships.

Snow Flower

Snow Flower is the other protagonist and Lily's best friend. Their bond is essential to the story's development, highlighting the challenges and joys of female friendship in 19th-century China.

Madame Wang

Madame Wang is a matchmaker and mother figure to Lily. She plays a significant role in arranging marriages and shaping Lily's worldview.

Beautiful Moon

Beautiful Moon is Snow Flower's daughter-in-law. Her character provides insight into the complexities and hardships faced by women in a patriarchal society.

Aunt

Aunt is Lily's step-mother. Although their relationship is strained, she represents the challenges faced by women in traditional Chinese families.

Third Sister, Big Sister, Elder Brother, and Elder Brother's Wife

These characters are Lily's siblings and sibling-in-law, respectively. They play smaller roles in the overall narrative but provide context for Lily's family dynamics.

Spring Moon

Spring Moon is Snow Flower's daughter. Her character adds depth to the intergenerational connections and expectations faced by women in the novel.

Uncle

Uncle is Snow Flower's husband. His role showcases the power dynamics within marriages during this time period.

Madame Wang's Husband

Lily's father enriches the plot by demonstrating the male perspective and the influence of familial relationships on societal expectations.

Lily's Son and Lily's Daughter

Lily's children represent the hopes and aspirations she has for future generations, highlighting the impact of cultural traditions on family dynamics.

Character Descriptions

Lily

Lily is a remarkable character with bound feet, which symbolize her obedience to traditional female roles and customs. Her appearance is described as delicate and attractive, but her personality is fierce and resilient.

Snow Flower

Snow Flower is also a woman with bound feet but possesses a tranquil elegance. Her tiny, lotus-shaped feet serve as a physical reflection of her beauty and grace. Her overall demeanor is gentle and composed.

Madame Wang

Madame Wang is a strong-willed woman who holds a position of power as a matchmaker. Her physical features are not extensively described, but her commanding presence and knowledge of Chinese traditions make her an authoritative figure.

Beautiful Moon

Beautiful Moon is described as a young woman with bound feet similar to Lily and Snow Flower. Her appearance signifies the societal expectations imposed on women. However, her character exudes strength and resilience despite the challenges she faces.

Aunt

Aunt is characterized as an older woman with traditional Chinese features. She is strict and unyielding, representing the oppressive roles that women often play within their families.

Third Sister, Big Sister, Elder Brother, and Elder Brother's Wife

These characters are portrayed as typical members of a Chinese family, characterized by their physical features and relationships to Lily. They embody the traditional expectations placed on family members in this society.

Spring Moon

Spring Moon is a young girl with delicate features, much like her mother, Snow Flower. Her physical characteristics and personality showcase the generational similarities between women and the weight of societal expectations.

Uncle

While Uncle's physical appearance is not extensively described, his actions and behaviors demonstrate his power and influence within the family structure.

Madame Wang's Husband

Madame Wang's husband is described as a successful man with commanding physical features. He represents the authority and societal norms expected of men during this time.

Lily's Son and Lily's Daughter

Their physical descriptions are not explicitly mentioned, but their existence represents Lily's desires for a better future for herself and future generations.

Character Traits

Lily

• Strong-willed
• Resilient
• Fierce
• Intelligent
• Compassionate

Snow Flower

• Gentle
• Composed
• Empathetic
• Graceful
• Intelligent

Madame Wang

• Knowledgeable
• Commanding
• Traditional
• Authoritative
• Wise

Beautiful Moon

• Resilient
• Enduring
• Supportive
• Suffering
• Determined

Aunt

• Stern
• Unyielding
• Traditional
• Controlling
• Cold

Third Sister, Big Sister, Elder Brother, and Elder Brother's Wife

• Supportive
• Traditional
• Loyal
• Disciplined
• Conformist

Spring Moon

• Innocent
• Obedient
• Curious
• Admirable
• Respectful

Uncle

• Dominant
• Authoritative
• Traditional
• Patriarchal
• Influential

Madame Wang's Husband

• Successful
• Authoritative
• Powerful
• Patriarchal
• Traditional

Lily's Son and Lily's Daughter

• Symbolic
• Hopeful
• Represents future generation
• Reflects Lily's desires for a different future

Character Background

Lily

Lily grows up in a traditional Chinese household with a stern step-mother and the burden of societal expectations. She longs for fulfillment and companionship, which she finds in her friendship with Snow Flower.

Snow Flower

Snow Flower also comes from a traditional Chinese family, and her circumstances parallel Lily's. Their meeting and subsequent "laotong" relationship shape much of their lives and the novel's plot.

Madame Wang

Madame Wang has experienced life's ups and downs, earning her reputation as a knowledgeable matchmaker. She becomes a mother figure to Lily, providing guidance and wisdom.

Beautiful Moon

Beautiful Moon is born into a lower-class family and marries into Snow Flower's family, experiencing hardship and suffering within her marriage. Her character represents the struggles faced by women in this society.

Aunt

Aunt marries Lily's father later in life, becoming Lily's step-mother. Her presence adds tension and conflict to Lily's family, showcasing the complex dynamics of Chinese households.

Third Sister, Big Sister, Elder Brother, and Elder Brother's Wife

These characters have backgrounds similar to Lily's, growing up in a traditional Chinese family. They contribute to the family dynamics and provide context for Lily's experiences.

Spring Moon

Spring Moon represents the next generation and embodies the hopes and expectations placed on young women. Her background reflects the challenges and complexities faced by women during this time.

Uncle

Uncle's background is not extensively explored, but his position as Snow Flower's husband exemplifies the power dynamics within marriages and the expectations placed on men.

Madame Wang's Husband

Madame Wang's husband is depicted as a successful and authoritative figure within their community. His background showcases the male dominance and societal expectations placed on men during this era.

Lily's Son and Lily's Daughter

Their background is not extensively explored, but their existence represents hope for a different future and the desire to break free from societal norms.

Character Arcs

Lily

Lily's character arc revolves around her growth from a submissive girl longing for love to a strong-willed woman who seeks independence and challenges societal expectations. Her friendship with Snow Flower plays a crucial role in this transformation.

Snow Flower

Snow Flower's character arc is intertwined with Lily's. She starts as a gentle and obedient young girl and faces trials in her marriage. Her transformation involves finding her voice and fighting for her own happiness.

Beautiful Moon

Beautiful Moon's character arc showcases her journey from a submissive daughter-in-law to a resilient woman who finds strength within herself. Her experiences reflect the challenges faced by women in this society.

Aunt

Aunt's arc depicts her growth from a bitter and controlling step-mother to a more understanding and compassionate figure. Lily's transformation influences Aunt's character development.

Spring Moon

Spring Moon's character arc is not as pronounced as Lily and Snow Flower's, but her growth is evident in her curiosity and admiration for her mother's laotong relationship. Her journey highlights the continuity of societal expectations and the importance of female bonds.

Relationships

Lily and Snow Flower

Lily and Snow Flower's relationship is at the heart of the novel. Their bond as "laotongs" serves as a source of support, love, and understanding throughout their lives. Their connection grows and evolves, ultimately shaping their individual character arcs.

Lily and Madame Wang

Madame Wang serves as a mother figure to Lily, instrumental in arranging her marriage and providing guidance. Their relationship is complex, marked by respect, loyalty, and the exchange of cultural knowledge.

Lily and Beautiful Moon

Lily and Beautiful Moon's relationship is supportive, as they connect through their shared experiences as daughters-in-law. Their bond offers solace and understanding in a world that often diminishes women's voices.

Lily and Aunt

Lily's relationship with Aunt is strained, highlighting the oppressive nature of traditional Chinese family dynamics. Their interactions exemplify the conflict between societal expectations and personal desires.

Lily and Third Sister, Big Sister, Elder Brother, and Elder Brother's Wife

These sibling relationships provide a sense of family and showcase the traditional obligations and dynamics of Chinese households. While their connections are not extensively explored, they add depth to Lily's character and experiences.

Snow Flower and Spring Moon

Snow Flower's relationship with her daughter, Spring Moon, reveals the continuity of female experiences and societal expectations. Their interactions demonstrate the cyclical nature of women's roles and the importance of passing down knowledge to younger generations.

Snow Flower and Uncle

Snow Flower's relationship with Uncle is characterized by the power dynamics within marriages during this era. Their interactions showcase the limitations and expectations placed on women, as Snow Flower tries to find her voice within their relationship.

In conclusion, "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" presents a wide range of complex characters who navigate the tumultuous landscape of 19th-century China. Through their unique traits, backgrounds, relationships, and character arcs, Lisa See offers a poignant exploration of the challenges and strengths of women in a patriarchal society.