Okay so the story is set in China during the time period of the Cultural Revolution( 1966-1976). It goes on to talk about a 100 million people being persecuted, half a million being killed. But mainly the story focuses on the rather unlikely couple. The women being tall and the man short. Never finding out their names but just as what their described as. That itself is symbolic. Never seen as individuals, they are judged on appearances. Living in a gated community called the unity mansions, is portrayed as ironic. Because the community is unified in aspects of gossiping, be cruel to the couple. In the end the couple remain a strong front and the story itself is a great example of facing hardship.