Introduction
A language kept a secret for a thousand years forms the backdrop for an unforgettable novel of two Chinese women whose friendship and love sustains them through their lives.
This absorbing novel – with a storyline unlike anything Lisa See has written before – takes place in 19th century China when girls had their feet bound, then spent the rest of their lives in seclusion with only a single window from which to see. Illiterate and isolated, they were not expected to think, be creative, or have emotions. But in one remote county, women developed their own secret code, nu shu – "women's writing" – the only gender-based written language to have been found in the world. Some girls were paired as "old-sames" in emotional matches that lasted throughout their lives. They painted letters on fans, embroidered messages on handkerchiefs, and composed stories, thereby reaching out of their windows to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments.
An old woman tells of her relationship with her "old-same," their arranged marriages, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood—until a terrible misunderstanding written on their secret fan threatens to tear them apart. With the detail and emotional resonance of Memoirs of a Geisha , Snow Flower and the Secret Fan delves into one of the most mysterious and treasured relationships of all time—female friendship.
Reading for Information
Use the links below to fill in the webquest handout you were given
An article about marriage in China: http://faculty.randolphcollege.edu/fwebb/buck/vmguarisco/Culture.htm
An Introduction from author Lisa See: Read "A Note About the Writing of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" that Lisa See provides. What was her process as a writer? What various emotional, historical, and real sources did she pull from to construct this novel?
Foot Binding Practices in China: Go to this NPR article that chronicles the historical and sociological significance of foot binding in China and view this photo video clip about the practice.
ASSIGNMENT CHOICES
Assignment Choice 1 : Author Lisa See was intrigued by the ancient women's language of Nu Shu and researched it for inclusion in her novel. While Nu Shu is still taught in China today, it is done as a folk art since women are no longer illiterate. However, it is still an art that is interesting because it was something "secret" from men and that allowed women to maintain lifelong bonds of friendship with their "old-same" and sworn sisters. You and a partner are to create a language of your own that is "secret." It is your choice how you design and create it, but it should allow you to communicate. You are to create the language and means of communicating and then write a short note of encouragement to each other. You will present your language to the class and explain how you came up with it. Present the language and the notes on PowerPoint slides for the class.
If you need help, read about how to create a fictional language here. It gives you the basic linguistic rules of language so that it all makes sense!
Assignment Choice 2 : Create a trailer for a movie version of the novel. Use text, images and music to create your masterpiece being sure that you intrigue your "viewer" without giving it all away. Your end product should be quality.
Assignment Choice 3 : Create a laotong poem of at least 20 lines that uses symbols and imagery to describe a special relationship/friendship. Illustrate your poem or add symbolic colors/images to make it special.
Assignment Choice 4 : Choose a song with lyrics that mirror a theme in the novel, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Write a one page response about how the lyrics match the events, feelings and theme of the novel. You must align the lyrics/lines with specific examples from the text of the novel. (Remember how we did this with Medea and Rolling in the Deep)
Assignment Choice 5 : Create a newspaper or magazine article that portrays events from the novel and the time period in China. Consider events in history, plot, and culture of the time. Use images, text, etc. It must be historically accurate, with some liberties on your part as the author.