Several of Liu’s stories involve horrific historical events, either things that really happened or things that easily could have happened in the history we know. Some characters, like Evan Wei, take responsibility for humanity’s mistakes; others, such as Lilly’s father, seek ways to justify them. Based on the range of characters in the collection, how do most people react to periods of cruelty and traumatic upheaval? Is Liu’s perspective on humanity pessimistic, optimistic, or realistic?

Teaching Suggestion: Encourage students to examine the various perspectives across cultures and generations. Consider drawing parallels between events in the stories and real-life events that are happening in the world today. Discuss what sort of responsibilities, if any, students have in light of these events.