This film represents the physical and psychological trauma for people and country after the war between China and Japan. Even though the Japanese forces surrendered, China was largely in ruins, having a large effect on its people in the post-war period. The city wall in the film is an important motif, as its dilapidated state reflects not only the physical destruction of the war, but also the general post-war depression of the people; the latter is personified by the male protagonist, Dai Liyan, who suffers from a psychosomatic illness as he struggles to cope with the destruction and decline of his estate following the War. The recurring scene of the broken city wall shown in the film reminds the audience about the destruction caused by the war.