the invisible red string by quen law Key Terms: characters in the story ju lin is a girl , ju lin mom and dad, moi yun old matchmaking matchmaker lady ,madam yuen and madam yuen son master yuen, in the story ju lin parents are poor and have to sell ju-lin to moi yun who takes care of ju lin and ju lin has to help moi yun because she is old and moi yun teaches ju-lin how to matchmaker and it goes good unit madam yuen has a problem her son has turned down every wife she has given him but yuen is into girls that can read and write just like ju-lin and want a girl who is educated and love to go on long scholarly walks with him he doesn't want a girl who has tiny bound feet and a girl who walks in a poper manner and when he ju-lin he falls in love

Literary Text: an imaginative work of fiction, such as a novel, play, story, or poem.
Universal Theme- a big idea that is characteristic of all humans across cultures, history, and places.
Examples of universal themes:
*Hero’s Journey- the main character faces many challenges/obstacles while on their quest
*Coming-of-age/loss of innocence- the main character matures from childhood to adulthood, usually by overcoming obstacles.
*Hero’s Fall- the main character loses everything over the course of the story
*Good versus Evil
*Renewal / Rebirth
Traditional Stories include myths (from ancient Greek, Egyptian and Norse cultures), legends (King Arthur, Robin Hood, and Paul Bunyan) and fairy tales (Cinderella, The Frog Prince, Pinocchio).

Narrative Structure: is the way that an author tells a story. An author has many structures to choose form when writing a story, including the following:
*Linear- which tells events in chronological order, that moves forward in the order in which the events occurred;
*Nonlinear- events occur out of chronological order, may start in the end or the middle of the story and then go backward or forward in time.
*Parallel structure- multiple storylines come together. The story moves back and forth between different settings, with characters who may or may not meet.
*Circular Structure- a narrative structure in which a story ends where it begins.

Terms related to structure:
*Cliffhanger- an ending to a chapter or story in which the reader is left wondering what will happen next.
*Flashback- an event in a story that happened before that point in the story
*Backstory- a portion of the narrative that explains the history leading up to the main part of the narrative

4. Character Types:
Hero- main character who faces challenges while on a quest
Mentor- hero’s teacher who teachers valuable lessons/skills
Mother Figure- maternal or nurturing character who matures in the story
Trickster- a character who plays tricks on or tries to cheat other characters
Villain- character or force who opposes the hero

1 answer

The Invisible Red String by Quen Law presents a rich narrative with carefully developed characters and themes. Here’s an analysis of the key terms and concepts related to the story:

Key Characters

  1. Ju Lin: The main protagonist, a young girl facing the challenge of her family’s poverty. She matures throughout the story, developing skills from Moi Yun and forming a romantic connection with Master Yuen.

  2. Ju Lin's Parents: Represent the struggles of poverty, as they make the difficult decision to sell Ju Lin to Moi Yun.

  3. Moi Yun: An elderly matchmaker who takes Ju Lin in. She plays the role of a mentor, teaching Ju Lin the art of matchmaking, thus impacting Ju Lin’s future.

  4. Madam Yuen: A character representing the societal pressures of marriage and family expectations. She is the mother of Master Yuen and is centrally involved in the matchmaking process.

  5. Master Yuen: Madam Yuen's son, who is selective about potential brides. His character challenges traditional expectations by seeking an educated partner rather than one with bound feet, which highlights themes of love and personal choice.

Literary Text

Definition: An imaginative work of fiction that recounts a story. In this case, "The Invisible Red String" fits as a narrative exploring themes like love, identity, and the journey of self-discovery against the backdrop of societal norms.

Universal Themes

  1. Coming-of-age/Loss of Innocence: Ju Lin matures as she navigates her circumstances, learning from Moi Yun and ultimately discovering her desires and ambitions.

  2. Good versus Evil: While not overtly framed as a battle between good and evil, tensions arise from societal expectations versus personal freedoms, especially in Ju Lin's choices and desires against her mother's constraints.

  3. Hero’s Journey: Ju Lin’s quest involves overcoming obstacles such as poverty, societal expectations, and personal fears, ultimately leading to her finding love with Master Yuen.

Narrative Structure

  1. Linear Structure: The story is primarily told in chronological order, tracking Ju Lin's life from her transition from her parents' home to her apprenticeship with Moi Yun, and culminating in her relationship with Master Yuen.

  2. Flashback: The narrative may include moments reflecting on Ju Lin's past. For instance, her memories of her family’s struggles can serve as context for her current decisions.

Character Types

  1. Hero: Ju Lin serves as the hero, facing societal norms and personal growth challenges throughout her story arc.

  2. Mentor: Moi Yun is the primary mentor, imparting knowledge of matchmaking and life lessons to Ju Lin, guiding her towards her aspirations.

  3. Mother Figure: While Ju Lin’s biological mother allows for the narrative's weight of sacrifice and expectations, Moi Yun also plays a nurturing role as she cares for Ju Lin.

  4. Villain: Madam Yuen could be perceived as a villain, representing societal pressures that inhibit Ju Lin’s autonomy, even if her intentions are rooted in tradition.

Conclusion

Through the journey of Ju Lin, The Invisible Red String explores the intersections of love, societal expectations, and self-discovery, all while utilizing narrative techniques that draw from traditional storytelling. Each character contributes to the overarching themes, crafting a story that speaks to fundamental human experiences and emotions.