Literary Term: I found personification in a line from the book. "I raced to the pavilion and found aunts and uncles laughing as they used chopsticks to pick up dancing shrimp, still squirming in their shells, their tiny legs bristling (75)." (dancing referring to the shrimp) I think the author's purpose for using personification is to add figurative language to the novel.
Quote from the novel: " 'Haven't I taught you that it is wrong to think of your own needs? A girl can never ask, only listen (70).' "
In chapter 4, Ying-Ying St. Clair goes with her family to Tai Lake as a tradition on the Moon Festival. She has many questions about the Moon Lady because she has never went to the event due to her young age. Ying-Ying asks Amah about what a secret wish is to ask the Moon Lady. Amah says it is what you want but cannot ask for, it is a secret. If you ask anyone else but the Moon Lady for it, then it is a selfish desire. " 'Haven't I taught you that it is wrong to think of your own needs? A girl can never ask, only listen.' " When Amah gives these words, she wants Ying-Ying to understand that it is not a girl's job to ask for things, except on this special day. A girl's job, rather, is to think of other's needs first, and not consider one's own. This reminded me of a bible verse. Mark 10:44-45: "And whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” This verse reminds me of the importance of serving others and their needs before all else.
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