Journeys and Journeying

The book’s central thematic element is its extended, symbolic consideration of journeys and journeying. In essence, the outer journey taken by protagonist and narrator China Iron is both a parallel to, and a metaphor for, the inner journey she is taking at the same time. Both journeys begin with her wanting and needing to escape a painful life and her old self. Both journeys take her through a series of experiences and situations that challenge her understandings of who she is and what the world is, as well as what both she and the world have the potential to be. Finally, both journeys end with China having arrived at a sense of being at home and at peace, both in the world and in herself.

From the beginning of the book, China is on a search for the truth. In that sense, the...