As the novel’s central protagonist, Dai Fenglian is a dynamic and round character who embodies a revolutionary life force that resists the patriarchal traditions of early 20th-century China. Dai Fenglian’s narrative arc traces her transformation from a young bride being sold as property into a powerful matriarch, distillery owner, and revered resistance figure. Referred to by the narrator as “Grandma,” she is the mythic heart of the family saga, and her actions are framed by the narrator as legendary feats of personal and sexual liberation.

Dai Fenglian’s journey begins in the confines of a bridal sedan chair, a symbol of her oppressive commodification. Yet, even within this initial powerlessness, her spirit of defiance is evident. She challenges the tormenting sedan bearers and ultimately finds a kindred spirit in the rebellious Yu Zhan’ao, an encounter that catalyzes her liberation. Her character is intrinsically linked to the theme of Female Agency and Sexual Liberation in a Patriarchal Society, as she consistently subverts the expectations placed upon her. Dai Fenglian demonstrates her heroism through her capacity to seize power and wield it effectively. After the murder of her husband and her father-in-law, she does not shrink into the role of a helpless widow.