What are the most pronounced differences between the culture in which Shen Fu's story takes place and that of today?

Shen Fu's focus on the pleasures of life define many of the stories he tells. Are there lessons to be learned from his approach to living, or do you see his preference for leisure as a weakness? Explain your answer.

What conclusions can you draw about the normalcy or exceptionality of Shen Fu's relationship with Yun? Explain.

What do you see as Shen Fu's greatest strengths of character? What are his weaknesses?

Describe your impressions of the culture of the concubines, and their presence in Shen Fu and Yun's relationship.

Yun's do words to Shen Fu as she lay dying do to describe her world view, and her thoughts about deity and eternity?

In what ways does the culture Shen Fu describes serve to...