Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Week 6, Post B

Dear Ms. Lily,
Your life has changed dramatically, yet again! I cannot believe all of the hardships you have gone through recently! The pain you suffered watching Snow Flower lose 5 children, and being separated from your family for over three months must have been unbearable, and I am sorry you had to endure this. The division between your life and Snow Flower’s life has become more apparent, especially after you became Lady Lu. Were you scared once you were named Lady Lu? Did you feel you had to live up to a certain reputation? Did you think other people would immediately recognize you and listen to your orders? Anyways, your relationship with Snow Flower seemed to be falling apart, yet you stayed with her and comforted her in her darkest days. You are a true friend. How did you feel when your husband left to find salt in Guilin? What do you think the affects would have been on your children and your relationship with your in laws if he had not returned? Anyways, it seemed like you had a strong sense of pride in your village, “The first case of typhoid struck in the best village in the county- my Tongkou,” (177) was this because you were the new Lady Lu? You have definitely changed throughout this novel, and I am surprised at some of your actions. For instance, “When Jade protested that there were no scallions, no slivers of pork, not even any preserved vegetables, I slapped her hard across the face” (178). How were you able to harm your daughter when you had been slapped as a child and heard of the pain that beatings caused Snow Flower? The winter in the mountains must have been terrible! I am still curious as to how you were able to survive three months on so little food and shelter. It must have been extremely difficult to be a mother and wife, away from your children for that long, wondering every day if they were alive. I am so happy your husband found you at Snow Flower’s house and I hope you have good luck in the future!

Sincerely,
Rachel