Eighth Moon Summary
Bette Bao Lord

Everything you need to understand or teach Eighth Moon by Bette Bao Lord.

  • Eighth Moon Summary & Study Guide

Eighth Moon Summary

Eighth Moon is about the twin themes of love and responsibility. "Mama" takes in her sister's daughter and raises the girl as her own, and no one tells Sansan that she has been left behind or that she has another family. Not until she fears she is dying does the grandmother tell Sansan the truth.

Once she learns the truth, Sansan knows that she must go to her "real" mother if she has the chance. She knows that she loves her "real" mother and is sorry that she feels so little responsibility for her adopted mother and father. Her "real" mother feigns illness in Taiwan and Sansan is allowed to go there in order to nurse her back to health. The government acknowledges Sansan's responsibility to her "real" mother so they release her to go and nurse her. Her adopted mother feels (grudgingly) that Sansan has a responsibility...

(read more from the Short Guide)