Women of the Silk is a story about China's silk trade. The main character, Pei, was dedicated to the trade in her youth. Her family were farmers, whose land was cultivated with mulberry leaves and fish. Their days were labor intensive and their evenings were quiet. Their home was filled with silence instead of childhood laughter. Daughters traditionally left home to marry, but when finances were tight and no marriage prospects were imminent, their boisterous third daughter, Pei, was sent away to work in a silk factory.This study guide includes the following sections: Plot Summary, Chapter Summaries & Analysis, Characters, Objects/Places, Themes, Style, Quotes, and Topics for Discussion.