Lady Tan's Circle of Women

Discuss the cultural traditions that define the role of women in the novel, then explore how well certain characters in the novel—especially Tan Yunxian—respond to them. In what ways do the female characters adopt and conform to cultural expectations? How do they defy them?

How are female bonds depicted in the novel, in terms of both friendship and in rivalry? What do these bonds reveal about ideals of femininity and women’s roles within the text?

Yunxian pursues having a medical practice despite the various obstacles in her way. How does Yunxian’s relationship with her practice and commitment to her work change throughout the novel? How does it shape her characterization and character arc more broadly?