Do Not Say We Have Nothing

How do prescribed gender roles affect the lives of Zhuli, Sparrow, and Jiang Kai? What privileges do Sparrow and Jiang Kai have that Zhuli cannot benefit from?

The novel focuses on seeing and not being seen: Think of the importance of Comrade Glass Eye and Jian, the terrible result of Zhuli being seen in her family’s library, and Ai-Ming’s struggle to become invisible. What is the power and cost of seeing? Of being unseen?

Consider the novel’s title and its chapter numbering system. How does this novel’s organization connect with the content?

Imagine how these characters would fare in a different revolution that has taken place in the world. What similar and different changes would their personalities undergo? 

What do you think happened to Ai-Ming after she fell out of contact with Marie and Yiwen? Why do you think this? Use textual evidence.

The definition of freedom is constantly in question throughout this novel. How do different characters visualize freedom? Which characters have similar definitions? Why?

What does this novel say about the importance of music? What role does music play in the lives of its characters?

Characters in this novel worry about their ability to believe. Does faith affect the characters in this novel negatively or positively? Why?