The Foreshadowing of Women’s Tragic Fate: An Analysis of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan from the Perspective of Space Theory

Abstract

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, written by a Chinese-American writer Lisa See, swept the United States as soon as it was published, becoming another masterpiece introducing Chinese elements into Chinese-American literature. In the book, Lisa See gives a detailed description of the fate of Lily and Snow Flower that spans decades. By applying Edward Soja’s theory of “Thirdspace”, different kinds of spaces in the novel and women’s survival crisis and miserable situation are analyzed. We can see that Lisa See places deep sympathy on the fate of women in the male-centered society and tries to make a profound analysis of women’s own weaknesses, thus arousing our concern and reflection on the tragic fate of women at that time.