Topic 1

Who is Shen Teh? How do people describe her? Does she feel like she deserves that title?

Topic 2

Who is Shui Ta? Why was he created? What does he represent?

Topic 3

How do Shen Teh and Shui Ta work together? Do they make a whole person? Or is the separation of “good” and “bad” into separate bodies a dangerous idea?

Topic 4

Which of the characters is most selfish? Does this character change at all? Why or why not?

Topic 5

Which of the characters is the most ignorant? Do they become cognizant at all? Why or why not?

Topic 6

Do the gods know the difficulties associated with being humans? Why don’t they listen to Wang or Shen Teh?

Topic 7

How does the story represent a modern-day parable? What qualities does a parable have? Does this story share these same qualities?