Footbinding Summary

Lily's footbinding was to occur later than most girls of her class. Lower classes either loosely bind the feet or do not do so at all, but these women end up being hard-working servants called little daughters-in-law. Lily's mother is preparing the fabric and shoes for Lily's footbinding. The Diviner came to her home and announces that Lily is not an ordinary child, leaving the entire household tense and uncomfortable. When he returned he had Madame Wang with him, known to be the best matchmaker in the region. During this visit, Lily realizes her mother's conniving "monkey" nature, which she compares to male ambition. Madame Wang examines Lily thoroughly, and agrees with the Diviner that Lily's high arch may mean that her feet could be the most perfect "golden lilies" produced in their county. Madame Wang suggests that Lily could marry into a...