1. First and foremost, Peony in Love is about love.
What are the different kinds of love that Peony experiences? How
does Peony's love for Ren change through the years? Have you had
similar experiences in your life?
2. In what ways is mother love explored? How does it change from
a mother's or daughter's perspective? Do these things still hold
true for mothers and daughters today?
3. What does Peony learn about mother love and in what ways does
she experience it herself?
4. One thousand years ago, the poet Han Yun wrote, "All things
not at peace will cry out." What do you think he meant by that? And
in what ways does this inspire Peony and the other women writers in
the novel?
5. In what ways does Peony long to be heard? Do you think women
today are really heard for who they are? In what ways have you
tried to be heard?
6. What are the parallels between the lovesick maidens and girls
with anorexia nervosa today?
7. We see a difference in Peony's actions after Ze marries Ren
and again after Ze dies. Do you see redemption here for Peony?
8. Could you sympathize with Peony's actions in the years
immediately following her death? Which of the three wives do you
sympathize with the most, and why?
9. What are the differences and similarities between the Chinese
afterworld and western concepts of heaven and hell? Which seem
better? Which would you prefer - for yourself and for your loved
ones?
10. How does what happened during the Cataclysm change depending
on who's telling the story?
11. How do Peony's experiences as a living girl and then as a
hungry ghost parallel Liniang's experiences in "The Peony
Pavilion"?
12. In what ways do you feel Peony's eyes were opened to the
reality of her father's real character?
13. Compare the actions of Peony's mother and grandmother after
they meet in death with their actions when they were alive.
14. Peony in Love shows the strength of women and
women's companionship, but in what ways does it also show the dark
shadow side of women whether in the women's chambers, between a
mother and daughter, between wives, or even between friends?
15. The novel looks at the Chinese veneration of ancestors as
well as the desire to have sons. How are these two beliefs
connected?
16. Lisa has written before about footbinding. What's the
importance of footbinding in this novel? What does Peony learn
about life and love through her experiences of footbinding? What do
you think caused the change in Peony's ability to assist in
footbinding?
17. What role does the plum tree play in the opera of "The Peony
Pavilion" and in Peony in Love?
18. How are jealousy and envy addressed in the novel?
19. Were you surprised to hear about the women writers in China
in the 17th century? Do you think it's important that we know about
them today?
20. Compare the roles of women in China in the 1600s to the
roles of women in the United States in the same period.