Cheng Xin has several foils, including Luo Ji and Thomas Wade. How do their contrasting philosophies influence their decisions and actions? Does the novel privilege one type of perspective or set of beliefs over others? Why or why not?

How does Yun Tianming’s fable translate into Cheng Xin’s world? Why does he choose to tell a story about a political struggle? How does its imagery replicate or subvert expectations about meaning?

What kinds of responsibility do different characters feel toward Earth? How do they cope with the burdens that this duty imposes?