When the Sea Turned to Silver

The power of stories emerges as a major theme, with stories functioning as a means of connection, survival, and empowerment. In the text, stories transcend their traditional role as entertainment and serve as vital elements of identity, culture, and resistance against tyranny. Moreover, stories offer a path toward immortality, as stories transcend time.

The act of storytelling forms significant connections between the characters. Pinmei and her grandmother, Amah, share a deep bond through storytelling. Amah, known as the Storyteller, tells tales that guide, comfort, and teach. Her stories carry wisdom, and Pinmei clings to them as she faces the challenges of her journey. The connection between Pinmei and Amah is not merely familial but rooted in their stories. These stories strengthen Pinmei when Amah is imprisoned. Pinmei and Amah also build connections with others, like the Stone Cutter, Lady Meng, Yanna, and the king, through stories. In this way, stories and storytelling serve as a vital means of connection in the novel, linking characters across different backgrounds.

Stories inspire characters to act and grow. Pinmei’s desire to rescue her grandmother drives her journey, transforming her into a powerful storyteller. At the novel’s beginning, Pinmei is scared to talk in front of strangers.