Point of View

The story is told from the first person point of view of Pao, its narrator and protagonist. As is the case with many first person novels, the narrative is limited in its perspective, exploring only the feelings, perceptions and actions of a single character while observing and interpreting those of other characters only from his particular, uniquely personal standpoint. It is, in other words, a subjective point of view, defined by Pao's political, emotional, and intellectual position, experiences and beliefs. That position is, throughout much of the narrative, both defined and motivated by Pao's leftist, socialist values - specifically, the idea that the poor and working classes must, and one day will, rise up and revolt against the oppressions placed upon them by the wealthy and upper classes. Everything he does, essentially, is motivated by this perspective and this belief. As he ages, however, and as...