The Leftover Woman

Choose another novel that discusses cross-cultural adoption such as Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere. Do the two novels examine adoption through the same lens? What characteristics do they share, and where do they deviate?

Research China’s one-child policy. Does this novel accurately depict the way that it impacted women and young girls? How does Kwok’s engagement with this fraught issue speak to the lived experiences of women in China?

How does this novel depict masculinity? What kinds of masculinity, both traditional and transgressive, does Kwok illustrate?

How does The Leftover Women engage with the United States’ implicitly assimilationist culture? In what ways are immigrants encouraged to cast aside their beliefs, values, and practices to better “fit in” to American society?

What are the various gender roles that Jasmine is expected to perform? How does she experience and fight against gender-based oppression and discrimination in both China and the United States?

How does Rebecca’s privilege contrast with Jasmine’s struggles as a female immigrant of color in the United States? What broader argument about the intersection of gender and racism does the author make in her depiction of these two characters?

Discuss Fifi’s adoption. Do Brandon and Rebecca merit some blame for their role in child theft? How might this depiction speak to shifting attitudes about adoption in the West?

There are various symbols of Chinese culture in The Leftover Woman. Pick one and discuss the way that the author uses it to explore themes related to immigration, assimilation, and identity.