Robin’s house in Canton and his scary condition
The narrator describes Robin's house in Canton and his scary condition using the sense of sight. The author writes, "The air was rank, the floors slippery. A jug of water sat full, untouched by the bed. At first, the boy had been too scared of retching to drink; now, he was too weak to lift the jug. He was still conscious, though he'd sunk into a drowsy, half-dreaming haze." The simile is very important because it shows readers the devastating condition of Robin, who is on the verge of death. The cholera outbreak has killed all his family members, and he is the only one surviving, but he is staring at death from his bed.
The sailing journey
The author observes and describes the incidents taking place as Robin and his good Samaritan sail through the seas from the port of Canton to London. The author writes, “The sea was loud and choppy that day." This imagery signifies a change in Robin's life. Robin is leaving China, and he is going to start a new life in England. He is leaving the pain of losing his entire family behind, and he will meet a new family where his future will be defined.
The city of London
The arrival of Countess of Harcourt in London allows Robin to see the new city, and he compares it to Canton port. The author writes, "London was drab and grey; was exploding in color; was a raucous din, bursting with life; was eerily quiet, haunted by ghosts and graveyards." However, Robin noticed the major difference in London, differentiating it from Canton. London was full of silver wheel carriages, buildings, and tickling street clocks. The imagery signifies Robin’s new beginning.
