Family Setting & Symbolism

Family Objects/Places

Sedan Chairs

Members of aristocratic families like the Kaos ride around town in sedan chairs. Cheuh-hui refuses to ride in a sedan chair, which act earns him the nickname "humanitarian."

Paper

Paper "money" is burned after a death to help the deceased person stave off hunger and want in the afterworld. Cheuh-hui comes across a servant burning two piles of paper "money," one for Ming-feng and one for Wan-erh, the bond-servant who is taken as concubine in her place.

Magazines

Working on magazines is a great outlet for Cheuh-hui and Cheuh-min when they are frustrated with their family and their culture. They feel they are doing some good by enlightening others with their ideas through their magazines.

Kao Compound

Much of the action in the novel take place in the Kao compound. The boys grow up in this compound, but as they get to be older teenagers, they find the place suffocating because of the feudal...
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