Daughter of the Moon Goddess

Family duty is a major theme in Daughter of the Moon Goddess. This is mainly shown through Xingyin’s primary quest to free her mother, Chang’e, from imprisonment, and through her curiosity regarding her father, Houyi. However, this theme is present for other characters, as well as a major influence toward their actions.

Although Xingyin is constantly torn between Crown Prince Liwei and Captain Wenzhi, neither can sway her from her goal of helping her mother. Her associations with both of them begin due to her quest to free and reunite with Chang’e. Xingyin’s efforts to become Liwei’s companion are partly fueled by her desire for a better life away from the Golden Lotus Mansion, but more importantly, they stem from her desire to gain access to the imperial family and find a way to free her mother.

Xingyin’s choice to join the army, and her tendency to choose extremely dangerous assignments, are similarly motivated. Though she receives some personal benefits, her primary goal is the Crimson Lion Talisman, which she plans to use to help her mother. This is especially evident in her argument with Liwei after she obtains the talisman and reveals her identity. When Liwei implies that he’d hoped Xingyin might use the talisman to ensure they could be together, Xingyin is surprised, as she hadn’t even considered that possibility (353).