The narrative explores the transformative influence of literature through the effects that the forbidden Western books have on the characters who discover them. As the Narrator, Luo, and the Little Seamstress enjoy forbidden books in secret, they undergo a coming-of-age journey shaped in part by their reading.

Prior to acquiring Four-Eyes’s stash, neither Luo, the Narrator, nor the Little Seamstress have been exposed to literature. Consequently, much of the character development they undergo is due to the influence of the books. The stories affect Luo and the Narrator by opening their minds to a world of ideas previously denied to them through censorship and a lack of education. They become resentful of those who deprived them of literature, whereas they formerly did not have the means to understand what they were missing out on. Through Jean-Christophe in particular, the Narrator develops a sense of personal identity evidenced by his newfound desire to own the book himself, rather than sharing everything with Luo. Through exposure to literature, the Narrator develops his storytelling abilities, surpassing Luo and nurturing a sense of self-preservation and a desire to stand up as an individual.