What are the motifs in The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang?

A recurring idea is courage. Several stories of survivors include stories of extreme courage in the face of certain death, and the tenacity of the human spirit. Tang Shunsan, the man taken who survived the killing contests, survived only because of wit, luck, and the help of friends. Many girls showed extreme courage as they fought their way across China in hiding to avoid rape and murder, or fought to save their children. In the case of Li Xouying, rape and death were narrowly averted. As a pregnant woman facing rape, she chose suicide by beating her head on a wall. When she awoke, she was attacked by soldiers. She fought bravely, and killed one, but was severely wounded, and left for dead. She was nearly buried, but family members saw her breathing, and fled to a nearby hospital, where she was saved.