China

Pao and his family immigrate to Jamaica from China. Its cultural revolution, which resulted in a Communist government that freed it from the oppression of outside, mostly British influences, is both the inspiration and ideal for Pao's social and political philosophy.

Jamaica

The tropical island country of Jamaica is the novel's primary setting. The country's struggle to free itself from a long history of socio-political oppression at the hands of white European immigrants, primarily British, provides the cultural and societal context within which Pao's personal story plays out.

Kingston

The capital of Jamaica is portrayed in the narrative as racially and economically divided, and troubled for many years by ethnically motivated violence. Almost Pao's entire life is lived in Kingston, its troubles combining with and/or triggering his political beliefs and what he perceives as the need for his illegal, but necessary, activities.

Cultural Revolution

China's cultural...