Chinese culture and traditions are well known, based on modern writing, for their originality and peculiarity. The book Spring Moon by Bette Bao Lord offers a rigorous explanation of this type of lifestyle through the story of a Chinese girl named Spring Moon, her family and their customs. Throughout the story, the author reveals everyday aspects of Chinese life by using different characters to represent her philosophies. One of the main characters, Bold Talent, Spring Moon's older uncle, shows in the first 12 chapters of the novel his obligation to Chinese traditions, even as he is occasionally forced to depart from rigid practices. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay As the story begins, Bold Talent finds himself enjoying life in San Francisco, where he was sent by his father to study the sciences of the West. Once he returns to his childhood home, he feels his freedom disappearing due to the obligations he must follow. This type of behavior was unusual, since many of the men in Bold Talent's society would not have had such thoughts crossing their minds. However, Bold Talent comes home to American influences, particularly in its elimination of the transcendent ponytail hairstyle. The tail represents Chinese nationalism and belief in Chinese culture, and because Bold Talent had cut it off, the citizens of Soochow saw it as a disappointment to their city. Evidence of this status is seen in chapter 1: "Stranger! The stares...the crowd behind" (Lord, 1981, p. 50). Here the text shows the amazement of the crowd through the way the author uses descriptive and powerful adjectives. Lord portrays Bold Talent's awkwardness and discomfort through his body language, such as how he forces himself to laugh and how he tries to remain confident and strong towards his citizens. After his arrival, Bold Talent feels obligated to follow the tradition and honor of burying the Patriarch forty-nine days after his death. Once the Matriarch, his mother, decides to proceed differently, Bold Talent is forced to accept her decision. He follows tradition by accepting his mother's commands and not confronting them, showing that even though he wanted to fight for his father's wishes, he knew he should follow the rules he had been taught his whole life. This mentality can be demonstrated in chapter 2, “Did He Startle…Think Much?” (Lord, 1981, p. 56), when Bold Talent conveys the respect he has for his mother through the way he speaks to her formally, accepting her wishes in a polite manner. It also shows how dramatic and self-centered the Matriarch is, as she sighs dramatically for an unnecessary cause, making it even harder for Bold Talent to oppose her. Weeks later, after his father's burial, Bold Talent, the true Patriarch, goes against tradition more radically. He teaches Spring Moon to read and write, although he is well aware of the consequences of this measure. The education of women posed a danger, as it ruined the chances of a good marriage and disturbed family harmony. Knowing this, he gives no importance to what the Matriarch will say, significantly showing his opposition to tradition in a way never seen before in a typical Chinese home. To illustrate this idea, in chapter 2, “Too Much…a Hope.” (Lord, 1981, p.79), the author uses deep, detailed and serious language to show how reading and writing are supposedly dangerous and inappropriate for women. Furthermore, the friendliness that Bold Talent displays.