Discussion Post
"Mrs. Spring Fragrance" Sui Sin Far (Edith Maud Eaton)
Tidbits about the story: (This is just for you to read. No answer required.)
• Represented Chinese immigrant experience and Chinese-American perspective
• Wrote to break cultural stereotypes
Plot (fill in the plot of the story)
Characters (tell who each character is and primary role in the story; designate who is the protagonist and antagonist of the story)
a) Mrs. Jade Spring Fragrance -
b) Mr. Sing Yook Spring Fragrance -
c) Laura -
d) the Chin Yuens -
e) Kai Tzu -
f) Tsen Hing -
g) Ah Oi -
h) American university student
Setting (where and when does the story take place)
Point of view (fill in the blank)
____ person omniscient
Style, Tone, & Language (explain the following)
a) Dramatic irony -
b) Humor -
Theme (explain each of the themes in the story)
a) Culture clash -
b) Bridging cultural gaps -
c) Gender roles -
d) Race and racism -
e) Prejudice and tolerance -
f) Politics (The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882) -
Questions: Deep Thinking and Making Connections (answer the following questions)
• What literary and cultural experience might Far be hoping to evoke in her audience-an audience of middle-class and predominantly mainstream Americans?
• How does her incessant quotation of Tennyson-whom she misidentifies as an American-signal a (potentially ironic) desire to appeal to this audience?
The response should include a reference list. One-inch margins, Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space and APA style of writing and citations.