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Hong's Aunt
Brave Orchid, Hong's mother, tells Hong about her aunt that was forgotten. -
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Chapter 1: No Name Woman (Exposition)
In chapter 1, Brave Orchid tells Hong about her aunt that has no name. Her aunt has no name because she disgraced her family by giving birth to an illegitimate child. The day after the baby is born, the aunt commits suicide with her child. -
Aunt's Illegitimate Child Is Born
The family is disgraced because of the aunt's illegitmate child. -
Aunt's Death
The aunt and baby was found the next day plugging up the well. -
Fa Mu Lan
Chinese girls were told the story of Fa Mu Lan. -
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Chapter 2: White Tigers (Rising Action)
In chapter 2, Hong tells the story of Fa Mu Lan. She tells of her training in the mountain, travels, and battles. -
Training
Mu Lan is trained to becaome a warrior by an old couple on the mountains. -
To Battle
Mu Lan gathers her own army and kills the corrupt baron. -
Returning Home
Mu Lan returns home to her family and child. -
Brave Orchid's College Life
Brave Orchid goes to school to become a doctor. She confronts Ghosts there. -
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Chapter 3: Shaman (Turning Point)
In chapter 3, Hong tells the readers about her mother's past life. Her mother was a powerful doctor, midwife, and shaman(person who could interact with spirits) that destroyed evil spirits. -
Brave Orchid Buys A Slave
Brave Orchid buys a girl slave and trains her into a nurse. -
Brave Orchid Encounters A Mad Woman
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Hong Visits Her Mother
Brave Orchid talks to Hong affectionally for the first time in the book. -
Moon Orchid Comes To America
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Chapter 4: At The Western Palace (Falling Action)
Brave Orchid's sister, Moon Orchid, comaes to America. Brave Orchid forces Moon Orchid to visit her husband even though he is now married to another woman. He refuses to meet her and says that Moon Orchid is not fit to live in America. Moon Orchid goes crazy afterward and is sent to a mental asylum. -
Moon Orchid Confronts Her Husband
Brave Orchid forces Moon Orchid to visit her husband, who is now a doctor and married to another woman. -
Moon Orchid Goes Crazy
Moon Orchid believes that the "ghosts" are after her. She is then sent to a mental asylum. -
Hong's Childhood
Hong tells the readers of her childhood. -
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Chapter 5: A Song For A Barbarian Reed Pipe (Resolution)
In chapter 5, Hong tells of her childhood. She talks about the difficulty of growing up as a Chinese girl born in America and how she is frustrated at how little she talked. In the end, she tells the story of Ts'ai Yen. -
The Tale Of Ts'ai Yen
Ts'ai Yen is captured by barbarians and returns to the Chinese with songs from another land.
