The Poppy War
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Chapter 1  Chapter 2  Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25  Chapter 26
Themes
All Themes Dehumanization and the Horrors of War Identity, Cultural Trauma, and Coming of Age The Purpose of Education Addiction, Drugs, and Control History
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Rin (Fang Runin) Master Jiang (the Gatekeeper) Altan Trengsin Kitay Nezha Venka Mai’rinnen Tearza (The Woman) Empress Su Daji (The Vipress) Master Irjah Master Jun Master Yim Chaghan Qara Tutor Feyrik Auntie Fang Kesegi Master Jima Dr. Shiro The Phoenix Niang The Widow Maung The Red Emperor Feylen Tyr Aratsha Suni Sanshengmu
Symbols
All Symbols Opium
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The Poppy War

by

R. F. Kuang

Upgrade to A+
Introduction Intro
Plot Summary Plot
Summary & Analysis
  • Chapter 1 
  • Chapter 2 
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Chapter 5
  • Chapter 6
  • Chapter 7
  • Chapter 8
  • Chapter 9
  • Chapter 10
  • Chapter 11
  • Chapter 12
  • Chapter 13
  • Chapter 14
  • Chapter 15
  • Chapter 16
  • Chapter 17
  • Chapter 18
  • Chapter 19
  • Chapter 20
  • Chapter 21
  • Chapter 22
  • Chapter 23
  • Chapter 24
  • Chapter 25
  •  Chapter 26
Themes
  • All Themes
  • Dehumanization and the Horrors of War Theme Icon
    Dehumanization and the Horrors of War
  • Identity, Cultural Trauma, and Coming of Age Theme Icon
    Identity, Cultural Trauma, and Coming of Age
  • The Purpose of Education Theme Icon
    The Purpose of Education
  • Addiction, Drugs, and Control Theme Icon
    Addiction, Drugs, and Control
  • History Theme Icon
    History
Quotes
Characters
  • All Characters
  • Rin (Fang Runin)
  • Master Jiang (the Gatekeeper)
  • Altan Trengsin
  • Kitay
  • Nezha
  • Venka
  • Mai’rinnen Tearza (The Woman)
  • Empress Su Daji (The Vipress)
  • Master Irjah
  • Master Jun
  • Master Yim
  • Chaghan
  • Qara
  • Tutor Feyrik
  • Auntie Fang
  • Kesegi
  • Master Jima
  • Dr. Shiro
  • The Phoenix
  • Niang
  • The Widow Maung
  • The Red Emperor
  • Feylen
  • Tyr
  • Aratsha
  • Suni
  • Sanshengmu
Symbols
  • All Symbols
  • Opium Symbol Icon
    Opium
Theme Wheel Theme Viz
Download this Chart (PDF)
Download the Teacher Edition
Download this Chart (PDF)
Previous
Sanshengmu

The Poppy War Symbols

Next
Opium

Opium

Opium is a symbol of control in The Poppy War, and Rin’s changing relationship to (and understanding of) the drug charts her coming of age. When the novel begins, Rin is forced to…

read analysis of Opium

Opium Symbol Icon
Previous
Sanshengmu
Previous
Sanshengmu
Next
Opium
Next
Opium

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