Page "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" Paragraph 32

Regarding conflicts in the student-teacher relationship, the potential for exploitation created by the subordinate position of the student and the tensions that exist when a student surpasses or resists a teacher are explored.

Jen hides her mastery of martial arts from her teacher, Jade Fox, which leads both to their parting of ways and to Jade Fox's attempt on Jen's life.

At the same time, Jade Fox's own unorthodox relationship with a Wudan master ( who she claims would not teach her, but did take sexual advantage of her ) brought her to a life of crime.

At times, Li Mu Bai and Jen's conversations more than hint that the desire for a teacher-student relationship could turn into a romantic relationship.

Jen responds to these feelings, and her desire to not submit to a teacher, by turning away from Li Mu Bai when she jumps in the lake after the Green Destiny.