She Who Became the Sun

Historically, the real Zhu Chongba was a cisgender, heterosexual man. Why do you think Parker-Chan chose to make Zhu Chongba (the protagonist) female/nonbinary in their novel? What point(s) do they want to make through this choice?

Gender and gender roles are major themes in this novel. Choose a dynasty (Song, Yuan, Ming) or an ethnicity (Mongol, Semu, Nanren, Hui) mentioned in the novel. How are these characteristics depicted in the novel? What creative liberties did the author take?

Ethnic conflicts drive the plot of She Who Became the Sun. How did these conflicts arise? What parallels, if any, can be drawn to other historical or contemporary events and/or social movements?

The Prince of Radiance tells Ma Xiuying: “Even the most shining future, if desired, will have suffering as its heart” (398). How is this reflected in the novel? Which characters most reflect this statement and why?

Shelley Parker-Chan emphasizes LGBTQ+ relationships in this novel. In She Who Became the Sun, which relationships succeed, and which—if any—fail? Why?

Despite all the suffering she has—and will continue to—experience, why does Ma Xiuying choose to support Zhu Chongba at the end of the novel? Do you agree with this choice? Why or why not?

Several characters in She Who Became the Sun have the Mandate of Heaven. What is significant about each Mandate (for example, color, strength, type of light)? How does it relate to each holder? How is Parker-Chan’s depiction similar and/or different from the original historical concept?

Although Ouyang is a fictional character, there are many famous eunuchs in Chinese history, including Zheng He of the Ming dynasty. What contributions did eunuchs make to Chinese history and society?