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Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes.

Cultural Norms

In the culture of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, there are many norms and traditions that must be followed. Following these cultural norms is something that drives Lily as she grows older. At first, Lily learns some traditions from Snow Flower, such as where to point the spout of a teapot when pouring tea for others. However, as they grow older, Lily is much more often the one who is stringent about following all norms for the sake of propriety. Many of these norms, such as footbinding, are done at the expense of women’s health and comfort. Ultimately, cultural norms are what come between Lily and Snow Flower. Lily is first horrified to learn that Snow Flower and her husband did not wait the traditional one hundred days after childbirth before resuming sex. Despite Snow Flower’s admission that she enjoys sex with her husband, and that she becomes pregnant again, as Lily recommended, Lily cannot help but see her as dirty for not following tradition. These norms, which often seem arbitrary, are part of what drives the two friends apart.

Social Class

For Lily, with Mama’s influence, rising in social class is a driving motivation for much of the novel. She and Snow Flower are matched because Madame Wang believes Lily will make a better marriage with a more prosperous laotong. As girls, Lily looks up to Snow Flower’s sophistication. As children, Lily sees Snow Flower as a more adult-like figure whom she strives to emulate. However, as they grow older and cast off the innocence of childhood, the growing differences in their social classes are part of what drives them apart. Though Lily insists that her feelings about Snow Flower have not changed after she learns of Snow Flower’s birth family’s true circumstances, her attitude toward Snow Flower begins to change. As Lady Lu, Lily sees herself as far superior to Snow Flower, and feels it is her duty to call out what she sees as Snow Flower’s deficiencies. This shows how social class becomes more significant as people grow older, and how it can force a wedge between once-intimate relationships.

Family

The main relationship of the novel between Lily and Snow Flower is notable as it is the only relationship that is not familial. In their culture, family relationships are paramount, and will determine who a person is in life. Although Lily is born to a modest family, her relationship with Snow Flower and Lily’s admirable bound feet allow her to marry into a family of a higher social status. Because of this, Lily leads a comfortable life with great wealth, many sons, and a happy family. On the other hand, Snow Flower’s family lost their wealth due to her father’s poor money management and opium addiction. This tragedy leads Snow Flower to marry a butcher, considered one of the dirtiest professions. She faces abuse from her mother-in-law and has several miscarriages and stillborn babies. This contrast between Lily and Snow Flower shows how, for women especially, suffering begets suffering, while luck begets luck.

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