Corruption
Every character in a position of authority on the novel is corrupt. The author doesn't make it clear whether they attained their positions of authority because they were known to be corrupt and were rewarded for that, or whether they were corrupted by the privileges of their position. Nonetheless the book is based on the fact that the people of China are oppressed and kept down by a system that is corrupt from the top down. Shao Bin's housing situation arises because the managers of the fertilizer plant are corrupt. There is nobody to complain to because the entire system is corrupt. It is the status quo and not the odd bad apple in the barrel. The cemtrsl theme of the novel is corruption because every event that happens stems from this basic systemic corruption that controls every aspect of life in China.
Injustice
A close second to corruption is the theme of injustice. Shao Bin is fueled by a sense of injustice and a lack of ability to do anything about it. The theme is both small and personal and also systemic and affecting the entire population. Shao Bin knows that an injustice has been done to his family by leaving him off the housing list. He then feels an injustice because he cannot find anyone in authority to correct this. His every action is driven by the need to avenge the injustices in his life but in doing this he also becomes a better and less introspective person and starts avenging the injustices done to every working man.
Keeping Hold Of One's Dreams
In a country with a political system that suppresses individuality the only way in which to preserve a sense of self is by keeping hold of dreams for something better. Shao Bin realizes the power of these dreams; his dream of a decent apartment for his family is never far from his mind and in fact is the catalyst for everything that happens in the novel because he has kept hold of the dream and that is what is driving him to stand up to the authorities.
Responsibility to Others
At the start of the novel Shao Bin is about himself and his family and really doesn't see himself as part of anything bigger than that. As the novel progresses he starts to feel a strong sense of civic duty and says that "an upright man ought to plead in the name of the people." This ties in with the theme of the importance of raising up your fellow man as well as yourself, and the belief that more is accomplished when individuals work together.
