The Jade Peony Literary Elements

Fiction; historical fiction

The plot takes place in Vancouver, Canada during the 1930s and 1940s.

The novel is divided into 3 sections; each section is narrated in the first person by a different narrator. The three narrators are siblings growing up in the same family. The first section is narrated by Jook-Liang, the second section is narrated by Jung-Sum, and the third section is narrated by Sek-Lung.

Because the novel is narrated by children, the tone is often intent, curious, imaginative, and wondrous. The children are intrigued by the world around them, even if they cannot always make sense of it, and soak up information like sponges. The mood of the novel shifts depending on the plot events; it is sometimes dark, foreboding, and exhausted, given the context of historical events like the Great Depression and World War II, as well as the racism and xenophobia faced by Chinese Canadians. At other times, the mood is light, tender, and sometimes melancholy, capturing the fragile beauty of childhood wonder and innocence.

Each of the 3 narrators is the protagonist of their own section. There is no specific antagonist.

The novel's overarching conflict occurs between the children and their family of origin, as they each mature and form more independent identities. The conflict is slightly different in each section of the novel, since each of the children faces different struggles and challenges. For example, Jook-Liang faces gendered struggles because she longs to become a more independent and empowered woman, like the female celebrities she admires.

Each section has a distinctive climax. The climax of Jook-Liang's section comes when she watches her beloved friend, Wong Suk, sailing away. The climax of Jung-Sum's section comes when he has been fighting with Frank Yuen, and first experiences physical desire for him. The climax of Sek-Lung's section comes when he sees that Meiying has died after attempting to perform an abortion.

Wong Suk leaving for China foreshadows how Frank Yuen will leave for Seattle, and how Grandmother will eventually die.

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Because the novel is historical fiction, it alludes to many historical events, including the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and historical policies enforced by the Canadian government, including the Chinese Exclusionary Act. It also alludes to specific locations in Vancouver, such as Strathcona School.

See the Imagery section

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Because the novel is composed of three distinct sections, there are parallels between each of the sections. In each of the sections, the child expands their horizons by meeting new people (Wong Suk, Frank Yuen, Miss Doyle, and Meiying) but also matures through encounters with loss (Wong Suk goes to China, Frank Yuen goes to San Francisco, Meiying and Grandmother both die).

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