Consider the title Foul Lady Fortune in the context of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. A character in the play berates Lady Fortune for treating him badly. How might this same accusation apply to the central character in the novel?

In what ways might China be regarded as a divided country? Think about its political and cultural context in 1931 and give several examples of the conflicts affecting the nation.

Multiple characters form duos in the novel. These aren’t necessarily romantic pairings. Pick two examples and describe the dynamic between the characters who form the couple.