Roles and Limitations in Society

Every society has expectations for those who live there. This novel is set in an imaginary place with a complex society that often forces characters into specific roles while limiting their opportunities for a different life.

Sai is a 12-year-old girl who lives in An Lung in the kingdom of Mangkon. The most important milestone is An Lung is a child's 13th birthday. On that day, the child receives the lineal. The number of links in the lineal chain is an indication of how far back the family can trace its lineage. The person with more links is from a family of higher social status. Those without the wealth to buy the lineal and those unable to trace their family back are relegated to the lowest jobs with no chance of advancing either financially or in the city's social hierarchy. The lineal...