A Chinese man named Ho Ling, living in Limehouse, longs to return to his homeland but faces indifference from the local community despite his respectable demeanor. His attempts to seek help from influential figures are met with refusal, leaving him frustrated and desperate. In a drastic turn, he abandons his previously mild behavior and begins to act out, engaging in public misdemeanors to draw attention to his plight. This change in conduct ultimately leads the authorities to intervene, and they decide to send him back to China at their expense, fulfilling his desire to return home. The narrative explores themes of cultural dislocation, the struggle for identity, and the complexities of societal norms.
By Thomas Burke · First published 1923 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama