Essay Questions

Is family one of the main themes in The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan?

The family emerges as a significant theme throughout the book, demonstrated by the close relationship between Ruth and her mother. Ruth's mother is supportive and does everything she can to see her daughter succeed. Similarly, the author builds the theme of love when discussing the relationship between Precious and Ling. The connection between Ling and her mother is strong, and they support each other in whatever they do. Consequently, the significance of family is the main issue in the book.

How does the author depict the sense of sight to readers?

The author writes, “In the vegetable aisle, Ruth headed toward a bin of beautifully shaped turnips. They were each the size of apples, symmetrical and scrubbed, with striations of purple.“ The imagery is significant because it shows Ruth’s love for turnips. Similarly, the imagery creates an image of the family’s garden, which reflects the family’s recipe.

How does Ruth discover more about her mother?

Ruth discovers more about her mother when she reads her autobiography written in Chinese. Ruth becomes interested in learning more about her mother when her health worsens. After understanding her mother's past, Ruth grows closer to her mother, and she takes good care of her until her last days. Consequently, Ruth learns the significance of valuing her mother, and she practices similar attributes in her own family.