Daughters of Shandong

Hai is the central protagonist and first-person narrator of the novel. Most of the action concerns her life, her character arc, and her growth. Hai, whose name means “ocean,” is the eldest daughter of Ang Xiao-Long and Dao Chiang-Yue. She is around 11 years old when the story opens and around 55 at its conclusion. In her life, she becomes an elementary school teacher, wife, and parent, but her most formative and enduring relationship is with her mother.

Hai admires as well as loves her mother, and this devotion and loyalty help shape her character. She takes her mother’s side in nearly every quarrel. Hai is often the peacemaker, conceding or making amends to try to soothe discord. She has a strongly nurturing side as well as a sense of family obligation, shown in the way she unhesitatingly helps to take care of her infant sisters, Three and Lan. Hai usually tries to follow the rules, do what is expected of her, and obey authority, except in the case where she believes the authorities might harm her (such as when she runs from the policeman in Hong Kong) or when she believes the authorities do not deserve her obedience (Nai Nai and Father).