Mute Granny (simplified: 哑婆婆, traditional: 啞婆婆, pinyin: Yǎ Pópó, jyutping: aa2 po4 po4) was the wife of Never Abstain and the mother of Yilin. She was known for her extreme jealousy, which led to her leaving her husband and living in seclusion for many years. She was also known for her attempts to help her daughter by forcing Linghu Chong to become a monk so he could marry Yilin.
Biography
Early life and marriage
Mute Granny was originally a beautiful woman who married Never Abstain, an eccentric Buddhist monk. The two had a daughter, Yilin, but their marriage was troubled by Mute Granny’s extreme jealousy.
Separation from Never Abstain
Mute Granny left her husband after becoming jealous when Never Abstain looked at another woman a few times. She went into seclusion and did not return for many years, leaving Never Abstain to raise their daughter alone.
During her time in seclusion, Mute Granny joined the North Hengshan School and became a member, though she maintained her silence and did not speak to others.
Attempts to help Yilin
When Mute Granny learnt that her daughter Yilin was in love with Linghu Chong, she decided to help by forcing Linghu Chong to become a monk so he could marry Yilin. She captured Linghu Chong and shaved his head, attempting to force him to become a monk.
However, Linghu Chong was able to escape and, in turn, captured Mute Granny and hung her up, labelling her as the “Number One Vinegar Jar in the World” (天下第一醋坛子) in reference to her extreme jealousy.
Reconciliation with Never Abstain
With the help of Linghu Chong and the Six Immortals of the Peach Valley, Mute Granny and Never Abstain were eventually reconciled. The two were able to overcome their misunderstandings and reunite, demonstrating that even the most troubled relationships can be healed.
Personality & traits
Mute Granny was portrayed as an extremely jealous woman who was willing to go to great lengths to protect her relationships. She was described as being deeply emotional and sensitive, with a strong sense of loyalty to her family.
Her extreme jealousy led to her leaving her husband for many years, but she was also shown to be deeply caring, especially toward her daughter Yilin. Her attempts to help Yilin, though misguided, demonstrated her love and concern for her daughter’s happiness.
She was also described as being skilled in disguise and martial arts, able to move silently and appear suddenly, making her a formidable opponent despite her seemingly harmless appearance.
Martial arts abilities
Mute Granny was a skilled martial artist, known for her exceptional light-footed techniques and her ability to move silently. She was described as being able to appear suddenly without warning, making her movements seem almost supernatural.
Her exact techniques were not detailed in the novel, but her skill was sufficient to capture Linghu Chong, who was already a skilled martial artist at that point in the story.
Relationships
Mute Granny’s relationship with Never Abstain was one of deep love complicated by extreme jealousy. The two were eventually reconciled with the help of Linghu Chong and the Six Immortals of the Peach Valley, demonstrating that even the most troubled relationships can be healed.
Her relationship with Yilin was one of deep maternal love. She was willing to go to great lengths to help her daughter, even if her methods were misguided.
Her relationship with Linghu Chong was complex. She initially saw him as a means to help her daughter, but after being captured and labelled by him, she came to understand his character better.
Behind the scenes
Mute Granny represents the theme of jealousy and its destructive effects on relationships. Her character demonstrates that even deep love can be complicated by jealousy and misunderstanding, but that reconciliation is possible with understanding and help from others.
Literary significance
Mute Granny’s character serves to add humour and complexity to the story. Her extreme jealousy and her attempts to help her daughter provide comic relief while also demonstrating the lengths to which parents will go to help their children, even if their methods are misguided.
Her reconciliation with Never Abstain demonstrates the theme that even the most troubled relationships can be healed with understanding and help from others.
Portrayals
Mute Granny has been portrayed in various adaptations of Laughing in the Wind:
Laughing in the Wind
- 1984 series – Zheng Shaoping
- 1985 series – Hu Fengxian
- 1996 series – Feng Subo
- 2000 series – Jin Yinji
- 2001 series – Yang Kun
- 2013 series – Tong Tong
- 2018 series – Niu Liyan
See also
- Laughing in the Wind characters
- Never Abstain – Mute Granny’s husband
- Yilin – Mute Granny’s daughter
- North Hengshan School – Mute Granny’s faction
External links
- Mute Granny (Chinese) on Chinese Wikipedia