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1) Cuicui’s grandfather is in charge of the ferry that takes people from one side of the river to the other. How does he get paid for this work? What …more
1) Cuicui’s grandfather is in charge of the ferry that takes people from one side of the river to the other. How does he get paid for this work? What is his attitude when people misunderstand?
2) What happened to Cuicui’s mother and father? What was her grandfather’s attitude to this?
3) Who is Shunshun? How does he compare to other people of his position?
4) What do Shunshun and Cuicui’s grandfather discuss in chapter 5?
5) At the beginning of chapter 6 Cuicui’s grandfather has a disagreement with a passenger. What is the disagreement about and how is it resolved?
6) Describe Cuicui’s grandfather’s thoughts throughout chapter 7. What is he worried about?
7) Who does Cuicui memorably encounter in chapter 8? Describe this person.
8) What is the importance of the mill described at the start of chapter 9?
9) In what way does Cuicui’s grandfather compare wooing to chess?
10) What happens to Cuicui’s yellow dog during chapter 10?
11) Describe Cuicui’s grandfather’s thoughts about the match between Cuicui and Tianbao (No. 1)?
12) Why does Cuicui cry in chapter 13? What is her Grandfather’s reaction?
13) How do the symbolisms of songs and dreams interact in this section of the novel?
14) How does Grandfather inadvertently upset Tianbao in chapter fourteen?
15) How does Tianbao die?
16) Describe Shunshun and Nuosong’s reactions to the death of Tianbao? Are they similar or different?
17) What happens to the relationship between Grandfather, Nuosong and Shunshun in chapter 17?
18) In what ways is bamboo particularly important in this section of the novel?
19) What happens to the White Pagoda at the end of the story?
20) Who is Horseman Yang? What is his role at the end of the novel?
21) Look carefully at Cuicui’s actions and behaviours at the end of the story. What do you notice?
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