is expected to be good, courteous, and understanding; instead she resumes the behavior of a jook sing girl. Old generation versus new generation: Ben Loy and Mei Oi are under constant pressure from their parents and society to maintain traditional values while living in contemporary America. Other contrasts: Ben Loy visiting a Chinese herb doctor as well as an American doctor; Ben Loy and Mei Oi's marriage being both arranged and mutually chosen Importance of family: Carrying on the family name and reputation is important, therefore grandchildren are anticipated and boy babies are valued over girl babies The text even portrays family ties overriding the law. Although Wah Gay attacks Ah Song, he receives no punishment and Ah Song is exiled. Ah Song, who has no family to speak of, states the amount of power placed on family ties: "A big stone will crush to death a crab" (226). Roles of Men and Women in Society: It is only socially accepted for a man to have an affair: "Husbands are different...They can go out and sleep with another woman and we woman folks can't do anything about it" (168). Therefore, Mei Oi becomes the "man" in the marriage when she has an affair; this is reflected in Ben Loy's loss of manhood. Ben Loy regains his masculinity only when he establishes himself as an independent person and as the dominant one in the relationship. Motifs Vengeance: Vicious cycle portrayed most aptly through Wah Gay attacking Ah Song Being Lost: Both Ben Loy and Mei Oi are described as "being lost in a forest", showing their confusement: "...Ben Loy seemed like a little boy, lost in the wilderness, not knowing which way to turn" (126). "...she [Mei Oi] was like a child lost in thick forest" (129). Luck: Races and mah jong Many characters give luck credit for events: "He attributed to good luck the peaceful situation of his first case of love theft" (148). Symbols Red Book: The Fourth Uncle consults this to confirm the most auspicious day for the marriage Represents traditional practices of the Old Generation Movies/Theatre: Represents an escape from reality for Mei Oi: "Mei Oi had discovered that the movies had a relaxing influence on her; so that, after a night out, her inner frustrations became less compelling" (83). Represents a reminder of reality for Ben Loy: While watching the opera "Gim Peng Moy", he relates