English 277 Yu Hua TestSend the completed test to raymoye@coastal.edu by Thursday, May 5.All questions are 5 points each,EXCEPT FOR THOSE MARKED “TEN POINTS.”

I. THE BLOOD

1. He Xiaoyong tells Xu Yulan, “Do you think I would waste my precious see on a bitch like you?” Why is this “seed” so precious? How many drops of blood goes into producing one drop of it?

2. When Xu Sanguan accuses Xu Yulan of infidelity, she defends herself by pointing out that there was some blood when they first had sex. Her husband simply dismisses this evidence by noting that she was “on vacation.”

What does “vacation” refer to in this instance? Is that what Xu Yulan means? How does Xu Sanguan twist

her meaning? How does this whole cultural context of “blood” and “bloodline” put women at a disadvantage when dealing with men? Hint: the monthly blood signifies failure to conceive. So who gets the blame?

3. How is the male’s dominant role and the role of his “blood” challenged in this novel? Look for a specific chapter. Who does more work?

4. Why will Xu Sanguan not spend his “blood money” on Yile?

5. What happens to Xu Sanguan in the course of the novel? Is being a father all about sharing blood? How do “father and son” come to be father and son? Don’t forget JING (essence)!

6. In the Cultural Revolution, who was the father of the Chinese? Is it at all hurtful to Xu Sanguan when Yile says he is the person he loves second best? See page 179.

II. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

My mother holding me. My four sisters (2 oldest are twins). Unknown little boy in left corner.

My uncle Marvin and my Pa.1. What type of marriage do we

have in this novel? Was such a tradition ever present in the history of Western Europe?

2. Xu Sanguan brings Xu Yulan’s father some cigarettes and wine, but these are not as

effective as one other benefit he names. What is it? Why is it so valuable, especially in China? A SIMPLE SHORT ANSWER REQUIRED: WHAT DOES XU SANGUAN HAVE TO OFFER THAT HIS COMPETITION DOES NOT HAVE?

3. Xu Yulan isn’t exactly nuts over Xu Sanguan. In fact, she seems more attracted to another chap (which leads to a very problematic situation once Blacksmith Fang’s son gets bashed and someone has to pay the hospital bill). What would happen in a Western narrative which started out with a woman being denied the opportunity to marry

whom she wanted? What is surprising (and very Chinese) about how Xu Yulan deals with the situation? You might compare this situation to ROMEO AND JULIET.

4. A bespectacled man comes to the door carrying 10 pounds of soup bones, mung beans and other assorted groceries. Where did he get these and what is the problem?

5. TEN POINTSWhen Xu Sanguan is found guilty of infidelity on his doorstep (and perhaps even of rape), how does Xu Yulan react? What would happen if this were a Western marriage

based on romantic love? I forgot to mention that Xu Yulan seems pretty upset about the bespectacled man toting off the soup bones, mung beans, etc. Where are her priorities?

6. TEN POINTSWhat does this family endure in the course of the novel? How does it survive? Would the average Western family fare as well? Give at least one example of a hardship or crisis this family faces and surmounts.

III. Public and Private Spaces

1. What is surprising about the way Xu Yulan confesses her infidelity?

2. TEN POINTSThis family has a problem with Yile. When he sort of runs away and goes to find his “real” father, who tells Xu Sanguan about his son’s situation? How is the notion of “family” being extended here? Who feels responsible for Yile? (Aside, of course, from his mother and father.)

3.When Xu Sanguan goes on his epic quest to save his son, he encounters an old man sleeping

with 2 pigs to stay warm. The old man gives the pigs to Xu Sanguan to warm him up. What does this say about the sense of OBLIGATION in Chinese society?

4.In another instance, Xu Sanguan is helped by 2 brothers, who actually sell him their blood when they discover that 1 bowl of their blood is worth more than 2 of his. He gets a discount and can then sell 2 bowls of blood instead of 1. What is the relationship like between these casual strangers? Be sure to note what Xu Sanguan tells Laishun as

the two brothers depart on their barge.

5. Finally, how is this entire story a real tribute to the Chinese people? What does it show us about them? How does it help us understand how they have survived so much and endured for so long?