2. According to the zodiac signs in Chinese culture, Pearl is a
dragon and May is a sheep. Based on the descriptions of these signs
contained within the novel, do you think the two sisters are true to their
respective zodiac signs in Shanghai Girls? Up to this point in
your life, do you think that you have been true to your own Chinese zodiac
sign? Here is a link to a website which contains more information about
the zodiac signs: http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/
Throughout the book, Pearl always
seemed to be the tougher one. The one who could really withstand pressure, hard
work, suffering, heartbreak, and even traumatic situations. She was always
looking after her sister in a very protective manner, and was willing to suffer
even more in order to take any more possible suffering from her sister, who
became her only family, along with Joy. Although there were many difficult
obstacles, she was always brave and persevered through the worst situations
imaginable, keeping up her confidence that she was going to be able to succeed
and get to her main goal. Because of these factors, I believe that Pearl was
very true to her Chinese zodiac sign, and that she reflected well the
personality and characteristics expected from a Dragon.
On the other hand, May started out
by being the favorite daughter, the one that always got everything she wanted
just by being her usual sweet self. She had nothing to worry about, and life
seemed to be easy and fun. With the war, the arrival of the Japanese, and their
unexpected arranged marriage, her and her sister’s world turned upside down.
There was no time to even think things through, but only time to act. After her
Pearl almost died after being raped by many Japanese soldiers, May had to
toughen up and take care of her sister. The roles were inverted. Pearl, who had
always taken care of May, now needed her sister’s help to overcome a very
traumatic episode of her life. May did not let her down, and used all her
strength to keep them both alive. I believe that was the time that May actually
became mature, and showed her true personality. She was confident, strong, and
there was nothing she wouldn’t do for both her and her sister.
The Chinese zodiac sign of a sheep
has the following characteristics: gentle, calm, shy, stable, strong sense of
justice, strong creativity and perseverance, strong inner resilience and
excellent defensive instincts, like to spend money on fashionable things giving
them a first class appearance, etc. May is a sheep in the Chinese zodiac sign,
and I believe she is very true to the characteristics of her sign. She showed
an inner strength that I did not expect from her, judging her personality by
the characteristics of the first part of the book. She definitely shows she is
more than able to care for herself, without the need of her sister’s motherly
protection. She always seemed to be fragile, and defenseless, but when things
got difficult, she was great at defending herself, and her sister, showing she
is able to protect those she loves. She also showed a strong inner resilience
since the time when the sisters were trying to flee China. In this way, she appeared to be true to her
Chinese zodiac sign, just like Pearl.
Being half Chinese, I was already
aware of my Zodiac sign, which is a Dragon. Although I did not grow up in a
traditional Chinese culture, I was told about the characteristics of this
zodiac sign. I always found myself well connected with it, and that most
characteristics expected from this zodiac sign matched well with my personality.
I believe I am someone with a lot of courage to reach my goals, which makes me
feel confident with myself. I am a very ambitious person, who likes to have
everything under control. I usually welcome challenges, because I feel that
that is the only way of evolving and becoming better. I also tend be short
tempered and become irritated easily. Everything described about my personality
is expected from a Dragon; therefore I am very true to my zodiac sign.
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