A Thousand Years of Good Prayers Character Analysis

Mr. Shi

Mr. Shi is, according to himself, a retired rocket scientist. He lives in China, but is visiting his daughter in the United States to help console her after her divorce. When he arrives in the… read analysis of Mr. Shi

Mr. Shi’s Daughter

Mr. Shi’s daughter moved from China to the United States, where she works as a librarian in the East Asian department of a college. After seven years of marriage to a Chinese man, she… read analysis of Mr. Shi’s Daughter

Madam

Madam is an Iranian immigrant to the United States who lives in a retirement home in the same town where Mr. Shi’s daughter lives. She is 77 years old, two years older than Mr. Shi… read analysis of Madam

Mr. Shi’s Wife

Mr. Shi’s wife is never present in the story—she has died— but both Mr. Shi and his daughter speak about her regularly. They reveal no details about her, but it becomes clear that even… read analysis of Mr. Shi’s Wife

Yilan

Yilan was the card puncher with whom Mr. Shi had an emotional affair when he was still a rocket scientist. They never had romantic or physical contact, but they communicated freely and developed intimacy through… read analysis of Yilan