Themes

One is often defined by how others see them:
- Chi is forced into the polarizing nature of American society. The way she identifies herself is complex, but to her classmates it is simple: Chi does not exhibit the characteristics of a girl; therefore she is a boy. This binary method of defining people's character contributes to Chi's unhappiness throughout her life. As Chi becomes used to being a boy, her personality shifts, exhibiting the influence of others' opinions on her own personality.

- As An is repeatedly referred to as a "chink," among other racial slurs, he stops feeling like an American. Because others have stopped him from seeing himself as an American, he can no longer call the United States his home.

No person is pure good or pure evil:
-  Even though An's father was abusive and, at his worst, cruel, An still respects and loves him. Despite his many flaws, his father worked very hard to give An and his siblings what little they had as children.

- An's mother is at first characterized as close-minded and chained by tradition, but it is later revealed how she sacrificed affluence and safety for the good of her family.