Yunxian is shaped by many different women throughout the novel. Who do you think had the most significant impact on the woman Yunxian became?

Yunxian is shaped by many different women throughout the novel. Who do you think had the most significant impact on the woman Yunxian became?

I think Yunxian’s grandmother had the most significant impact on her. She was instrumental in teaching Yunxian the medical knowledge. Her grandmother saw how well Yunxian took to learning how to treat women and she was good at it. It seemed that Yunxian was the happiest and most content when she was able to provide comfort to women through her medical knowledge.

Yunxian’s grandmother. She gave her the gift of knowledge and a career beyond anything else available to her. However, she also gave her love and and displays of affection rarely seen then. Grandmother also saved her life during her illnesses and imparted wisdom beyond the medicinal.

The response by gerrieb is exactly how I feel- her grandmother gave her knowledge and skills that allowed her to be useful and to reach beyond her walled-in world. She also was the character who gave her unconditional love--not dependent on her status, beauty, or her ability to produce sons (imagine if they had known that the male determines gender!)

I definitely agree with Gerrieb and barrette. Her grandmother made the biggest impact on Yunxian’s life. She helped her become who she wanted to be to make her life fulfilled.

While I agree that Yunxian's grandmother had a great impact on her and shaped her through love and knowledge, I think that Meiling also had a great impact. Sharing the phrase "no mud, no lotus" Meiling encouraged Yunxian when things were the toughest and the two young women created an alliance that moved them forward despite adversity.

I also think that her grandmother was the largest influence because she provided her with knowledge and the confidence she needed to succeed and be respected in medicine but also in life in general.

I think her grandmother, Meiling as well as her Mother were very important in Yunxian’s growth as a woman and as a doctor. Her grandmother certainly got her started on the right path and educated her in medical practices. Meiling and her Mother showed her another side that worked well in helping women.

I think her grandmother had the most impact on Yunxian. She seemed to always have her grandmother on her mind when there was a choice or decision to be made. Yunxian loved and respected her grandmother. She was also thankful for her grandfather’s choosing to support his wife and herself. Without his support, neither women would have had the freedom to pursue their calling and make a difference in the world around them, regardless of how small that circle was. Her grandmother showed her a way to live her life within the confines of tradition while helping the women around her have better, healthier lives.

I felt that Yun’s grandmother had the greatest effect on her. She shaped her as a woman and offered her a way to rise above the rigidity of the Chinese culture. Her grandmother was a firm woman, with deep convictions and a drive to help women.

I agree that Yunxian’s grandmother had a tremendous influence on her. However, the primary influence was her mother, Respectable Lady, who laid down her core values.She told her ,on her deathbed,”Just remember, we women exist to give a man heirs and feed, clothe, and amuse him. Never forget that”.And then her last words”To live is to suffer”.These values were then reinforced by Miss Zhao and other women in her life,

I think her grandmother, she taught her medicine and that a woman could be more than just a wife.

Many think it was her grandmother, however, I think it was her mother-in-law. Yunxian had to overcome traditions and fight to become the medical person she was. It wasn't easy for her, she became a stronger person because of it.

I agree that her grandmother had the greatest influence on her. If not for her grandmother, her life would have been very limited. Her work as a doctor added an important dimension to her long life. It is important for women to have role models so they can have dreams and reach their potential.

I also think that her grandmother has a definite impact on Yunxian. She is a woman ahead of her time. She takes her very young granddaughter into her world of medicine; she defies her husband's medical concepts. She tells Yunxian, "You must speak if you wish to be heard." This attitude alone sets her apart from other women in the story, especially wives and concubines.

I agree with a number of those responding to this question. Yunxian's grandmother was instrumental in creating a love of medicine for her. Not only a love of medicine in general but the love of medicine for women who were often forgotten.

This one made me think about the title of the book, so many women impacted her life. Her grandmother taught her medicine and how to stand up for herself, her mother-in-law becomes a surprise ally, and her friendship with Meiling helps her to grow and become more compassionate.

Her grandmother! She was revered, respected but also had her own path and power. I loved their relationship and could have read a whole book about the two of them treating the women of china!!