Q1 (Chap 1 - 32) - Question 3

[John]

What main ideas—themes—does the author explore? Does the author use symbols to reinforce the main ideas?

[John]

One theme that comes up again and again is loyalty to the Emperor. Even the Generals that are scheming to become emperor themselves accuse their opponents of being rebels and traitors to the throne. Another that comes up from time to time is the value of true loyalty and honor, clearly valued because of their relative scarcity.

[Patrick]

I agree with you about loyalty in all its guises. The novel can also read as a "catalog" of military/diplomatic strategy and cunning; however, considering how wicked some of these strategies are, I find it hard to understand that the teachings of this novel are seen as valuable learnings for the conduct of business, unless the lessons learnt are of the "how-not-to" nature.

[[deleted user]]

Agree with you both true loyalty is valued highly even Cao Cao honours those who remain loyal to someone other than him as long as they are honest about it.

Military strategy is also an important theme.