Falling Leaves study guide ch. 1-13

content and vocab

what does “Niang” mean

the Chinese word for mother

Who is Adeline Yen Mah?

What does Mah’s memoir dedication reveal about her as a person?

Mah’s memoir dedication reveals that she did not have an easy childhood. She went through difficulties in her home and culture.

Based on the prologue, what inferences about Niang’s character can you make?

Niang’s character seems very upset or bitter, based on the way she acted during the reading of the will. She is acting suspiciously and might be hiding something important.

Who is Grand Aunt and how would you describe her?

Grand Aunt is Mah’s great-aunt. She broke the tradition of the feet binding in her culture, which would have been unheard of.

Who were the patrons of Grand Aunts, Shanghai’s Women’s bank? Why?

The patrons of Grand Aunts, Shanghai’s Women’s Bank were educated women, first wives, and unmarried women.