Ribbons

Analyze the tension between dance and family in the novel. How are dance and family oppositional? Which does Robin prioritize? Does this priority ever change? Are there ways in which dance and family are deceptively similar?

Though the novel primarily focuses on Chinese Americans, Laurence Yep also explores other cultures, noting, for instance, that Richmond is a diverse neighborhood. How do these other cultures compare and contrast with Chinese culture? How does Yep utilize this comparison to establish the Chinese American experience?

What purpose do Georgie and Eddy serve in the novel? How do they reflect the novel’s theme of Sacrificing for a Greater Good? Do they reflect at all a blend between Chinese and American cultures? What is their significance in the novel’s resolution?

Consider the evolution of Robin’s relationship with Mom. How does dance interfere with their ability to connect? What ultimately bonds them? How does Yep suggest the hidden strength of their relationship? You might consider Bridging Generational Divides through Empathy in your response.

Analyze the various forms of communication in the novel. How do art and dance form their own kind of language? How is this language dependent upon the inherent physicality of ballet? When does communication both succeed and fail in the novel?

Consider the value of adaptability in the novel. How do circumstances consistently change? Are characters in control of their own fates? In what way does Robin discover power or independence? Responding Creatively to Limitations might inform your response.

How does the novel define family? Is family at all fluid? How do family roles and dynamics shift?

Consider the role of money and financial hardship in the novel. How does money impact the characters? What is its relationship to sacrifice? Is money of the ultimate value, or does the novel suggest that some things might be more important?