The Valley of Amazement

“If you want to make money in Shanghai […] take advantage of other people’s fear.” 

Lulu makes this comment when describing how she succeeds in business. However, the adage applies to all aspects of life in Shanghai. Most everyone is ruled by fear and superstition. As a result, they can be exploited in ways that aren’t simply financial. 

“No matter what I did, I feared the stranger-father within my blood. Would his character also emerge and make me even more Chinese? […] Would anyone love a half-hated girl?” 

This quote reveals Violet’s ambivalence toward her mixed-race parentage. While that condition is problematic enough, her mother hates her father, and Violet’s Asian features offer a constant reminder. Violet has already begun to believe she is innately unlovable. 

“To save myself, I destroyed another, and in doing so, I destroyed myself.” 

Violet overhears Lu Shing make this confession to her mother. Later events in the story indicate this statement isn’t entirely true. Lu Shing destroyed himself through weakness long before his betrayal of Lulu occurred.