The fall from esteem
When the regime overthrow occurs, a major theme is discovered: Before Communism, people were judged for their merit, and that typically put Yu Yuan in a position of esteem, because he was articulate and intelligent, and because he has initiative. But after the Communist Revolution, Yuan is treated without regard, as if all humans are identical, as if all humans are equally enabled by nature. This theme asks the question, "Is equality of outcome truly equality?" The idea that equality of outcome should determine justice is a part of the Communist model, but the author is subtly suggesting that equality of opportunity would be better.
Cleverness and adaptation
Yu Yuan is shown in the novel to be an adaptive, clever person, because he finds himself in all kinds of confusing situations, typically with people who need something from him or want to give him orders. This puts him in a compromising situation where his survival is really only an issue to himself. But, this makes him extremely clever and serpentine. He hides from scrutiny and danger by shape-shifting into different people with different names (not literally; figuratively). He is like a chameleon fitting in for survival.
Dilemma
The last major theme of the novel is dilemma and initiative. Initiative is the task of trying to get what you want by employing strategies, but that's not always an option, actually. Sometimes, the options are limited, or in Yuan's case, sometimes the odds are stacked against him completely. He finds himself in the difficult maze of navigating a disrupted world, a regime change, contrary political and military opinions among his leadership, and the truth is that he isn't in a position to get what he wants. He is only in a position to navigate as well as he can. This navigation of dilemma is what defines him. When he arrives at home, he can't even have what he wants there, because his fiancee has left him, and his community is disappointed in him for nothing he has done. Still disenfranchised, he makes the best of a bad situation.
