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Discussion Posts: Bonesetter’s Daughter Post Category
Discussion Period: July 25 – July 31, 2008

Discussion Questions:

1. Memory plays an important role in The Bonesetter’s Daughter. How is Ruth’s life affected by her childhood memories? How do LuLing’s memories affect her behavior around Ruth?
2. How does LuLing attempt to convey the difficulties of her formative years to Ruth? Does she succeed? Why/why not? In the constant sparring between Ruth and LuLing, who do you think is at fault?
3. Much of The Bonesetter’s Daughter revolves around superstition. How does this aspect of Chinese culture affect LuLing’s actions? Is Ruth superstitious? Does she realize that she is manipulating her mother as a child?
4. Each year, Ruth makes a conscious decision not to speak for one week. Why does she elect to go silent? In which ways does this self-imposed muteness mirror the challenges faced by both her mother and by Precious Auntie? How does Ruth find her voice as the novel goes on?
5. What is the significance of Ruth’s learning the family name at the end of The Bonesetter’s Daughter? What does Ruth learn about her name that helps change her opinion of her mother?
6. Like memory, bones also constitute an important motif in The Bonesetter’s Daughter. What is the significance of the book’s title? How does breaking a bone change Ruth’s life and her relationship with her mother? What importance do bones hold for LuLing and Precious Auntie?
7. Which of GaoLing’s characteristics enable her to adjust to America with more ease than her sister? Which make it more difficult?
8. To frame the novel, Tan uses the device of a story within a story. How is this effective in bringing past and present together?
9. Ruth works as a successful ghostwriter. How is this profession significant, both literally and figuratively, in her communication with her mother and with the world around her? How has her professional life opened Ruth to the world around her, and how has it shut her off?