5. Her apparent adherence to “the straight and narrow” is intensified
by Brian’s report of the Finnish sailor episode.
6. Fanny comes down with pneumonia. (Does this seem logical or a too
obvious device of the author?)
7. Nag writes to Yung Quai and sends money for her transportation to
New York.
8. He indicates to the dying Fanny that he will educate her daughter,
and from the sale of Fanny’s possessions--including the imitation
bracelet.
_Climax of Action_ in the first line of interest.--
Fanny, in a magnificent final flame of contempt and victory, declares
the worth of the bracelet, and that Yung Long gave it to her. (Recall
the allusion, page 4, to this point as the “dramatic climax” for Nag
Hong Fah.)
_Steps toward the Dénouement_: The scene between Nag Hong Fah and
Yung Long, wherein Nag conveys to Yung his knowledge of the gift, and
“motivates” the real cause of the gift. Yung affirms Nag’s judgment,
and further indicates that Señora Garcia might best be put out of the
way. Nag Hong Fah agrees that it would be but a simple act of piety
and goes to get his knife. (Do they here “mean what they say” or “say
what they mean”?)
The _struggle_, then, in the first line of interest (the story of
Fanny and Nag Hong Fah) is one between the Occident and the Orient.
The Occident wins, in the person of Fanny. But because of the second
line of interest (the story of Nag Hong Fah, Yung Long and Yung
Quai), the victory gives way to the victory of the Orient. Study the
story for the points of contact of these two lines, the complication
effected, and the unification of the two interests.
_Suspense_: Suspense sets in at the beginning, when after the
murder, the question arises, “Why did he kill her?” This question is
accompanied by a desire to know more about the murderer. The story if
it fulfils the implied promise will explain. Desire to know whether
the murderer is apprehended is satisfied after the next hundred
words or so, in the sentence, “For he is still at liberty.” Herein,
also, lies an element of novelty; the more unoriginal story presents
the crime, then arouses suspense as to whether the criminal will be
caught, and justice meted out. (Study the story for further working
of the principle of suspense. What question motivates your reading
after Nag Hong Fah beats Fanny, for example?)
_Suggestion_: What is suggested to the reader in Fanny’s becoming
a model wife? In Miss Ritter’s speech about “Real love”? In the
“imitation” bracelet? How much of the business “off-stage,” after
Fanny’s subsidence, is built up by the reader?
CHARACTERIZATION. The dominant character interest lies in the racial
features, which are set off by contrast with each other. The author
manifests skill in creating hybrid Fanny, a product of racial crossing.
In order of importance, the main figures are: Nag Hong Fah, Fanny, Yung
Long, Quai Long.