Obligation, Tradition, and Character in "Spring Moon" Daniella De Rijke 10th Grade

Chinese culture and traditions are well known, on the basis of modern writing, for their originality and peculiarity. The book Spring Moon by Bette Bao Lord offers a rigorous explanation of this kind of lifestyle through the story of a Chinese girl called Spring Moon, her family, and their customs. Throughout the story, the author reveals daily life aspects of Chinese life using different characters to represent her philosophies. One of the main characters, Bold Talent, Spring Moon’s eldest uncle, shows during the first 12 chapters of the novel his obligation towards Chinese traditions, although he is occasionally obliged to depart from rigid practices.

At the beginning of the story, Bold Talent is found enjoying life in San Francisco, where he was sent by his father to study the sciences of the West. Once he arrives back to his native home, he felt his freedom fade away due to the obligations he must follow. This type of behavior was unusual, since many of the men in Bold Talent's society wouldn’t have had such thoughts crossing their minds. However, Bold Talent comes home with American influences, specifically in his elimination of the transcendent queue hairstyle. The queue represents Chinese nationalism and faith in Chinese...