Ties That Bind, Ties That Break

Ties That Bind, Ties That Break

• Genre: Fiction; young adult historical
• Originally Published: 1999
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 830L; grades 7-12
• Structure/Length: 11 chapters, prologue, and epilogue; approximately 154 pages; approximately 3 hours, 37 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The central conflict in the story revolves around Ailin, a young Chinese girl growing up during the early 20th century. Ailin defies societal norms and tradition by refusing to have her feet bound—a painful practice still customary in traditional households for girls of her time. Her decision to break with tradition leads to a journey of self-discovery, independence, and the pursuit of education. The novel explores gender equality, cultural expectations, and the courage of the human spirit.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Discussion of foot binding and its cultural significance; historical themes; reference to suicide; mature content

Lensey Namioka, Author

• Bio: Born 1929; Chinese American author known for her young adult and children’s books; often writes about cultural and identity themes, drawing from her own experiences as a Chinese immigrant to the United States; known for her ability to blend storytelling with themes of identity, family, and tradition
• Other Works: Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear (1993); April and the Dragon Lady (1994); Half and Half (1995); An Ocean Apart, a World Away (2001)
• Awards: National Book Award Finalist in Young People’s Literature (1999)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Defying Traditional Gender Roles
• Cultural Misunderstandings and Conflict
• Family Life and Social Relationships in China
• Identity and Self-Respect

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the gendered and historical contexts related to foot binding in Chinese culture, which impacts Ailin’s narrative as a nonconformist girl in early 20th-century China.
• Analyze paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of Defying Traditional Gender Roles, Cultural Misunderstandings and Conflict, Family Life and Social Relationships in China, and Identity and Self-Respect.
• Create an original illustration that depicts Ailin’s conflicts and personality traits.
• Analyze and evaluate plot and character details to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding Ailin’s relationships, the historical and cultural contexts of the novel, and other topics.