Family Summary
Ba Jin

Family Summary

Family is the story of an aristocratic Chinese family at the beginning of the 20th century. The Kao family lives in a well-appointed compound in the city of Chengtu and enjoys all the material and cultural benefits the city has to offer. Three brothers in the Kao family, Cheuh-hsin, Cheuh-min, and Cheuh-hui, are the main characters of the story. Cheuh-hsin, the oldest, is married and has a son, and the other two brothers are students in their late teenage years.

Cheuh-hsin suffers greatly because he has never been able to stand up for himself. He is a big believer in filial piety, and he has always been willing to do what his elders tell him to do, even when his own dreams are sacrificed. For example, Chueh-hsin wanted to marry his cousin Mei and pursue a career in scientific academia, but his grandfather arranged a marriage with Jui-cheuh and got... View more of the Family Summary