Greed

Greed is a theme of the book even though it is an understated theme. Joseph is basically greedy. He wants to make a lot of money and this turns out to be the problem for him and his family. Joseph becomes a millionaire in Shanghai and he and his family lead the storybook life of the rich, even though Shanghai is a dangerous place. The wealthy are frequently kidnapped and held for ransom, which happens to Joseph. Most foreigners leave Shanghai when war breaks out between the Chinese and the Japanese, especially when the Japanese take control of Shanghai. Joseph refuses to leave, even after his wife and daughter leave for California. The same situation occurs when the Communists take control of Shanghai. Joseph's reasoning is that he can't make the kind of money he is making in Shanghai any place else in the world. He is engaged...