The vivid clash between tradition and modernity courses through the pages of Spring Moon, painting a vivid tapestry of cultural evolution. At the core of this tumult lies the venerable patriarchal lifestyle, guided by Confucian principles that champion filial devotion, humility, and the docility of women. These ideals demand the pursuit of knowledge for its intrinsic value, the grace to bend with the winds of fate rather than shatter, and the sacred duty to uphold the family’s honor, regardless of the personal sacrifices made by its members.

Spring Moon, the novel’s protagonist, embodies the essence of ancient China. Raised within the opulent confines of the Chang estate, she enjoys a life of luxury and learning, thanks to a devoted uncle who ensures her education rivals that of any man. Yet, Spring Moon remains steadfast in her adherence to Confucian traditions, fiercely prioritizing familial pride over her own personal aspirations and desires.

In a striking twist of fate, her daughter, Lustrous Jade, emerges as a symbol of the new China, animated by a spirit of defiance and revolution. Educated by Western missionaries, she adopts an idealism that clashes with her deeply rooted Chinese pragmatism. Her fervent belief in communism as the key to resolving China's social and political dilemmas propels her into direct opposition against her mother's conservative values.

The novel's most poignant and symbolic conflict erupts between Spring Moon and Lustrous Jade, highlighting the generational chasm — a profound struggle between mother and daughter, between the revered past and the bold future.

Interwoven throughout the novel's central narrative is a tapestry of recurring themes that offer deeper insight: the revolution's devastating impact on China's intellectual elite, the profound significance of personal honor, the diverse manifestations of loyalty and duty, and a wistful longing for a bygone era. As the tale reaches its poignant conclusion, we find the ninety-year-old Spring Moon — thought forgotten, yet resolute as ever — residing in a dilapidated shack atop the ruins of the once-grand Chang estate. Her seemingly forgotten existence is unexpectedly illuminated by the presence of her illegitimate son, who mistakenly believes he is her brother.

Spring Moon's enduring spirit is the heart of the narrative, and it is she who reunites the scattered clan members at the ancestral graveyard, paying homage to their forebears. This gathering powerfully symbolizes the resilience of ancient Chinese traditions; though they may have adapted to the tides of modernity, altered in appearance, their essence remains indomitable and alive.