What are the motifs in Bone by Fae Myenne Ng?

Culture is a recurring idea in this story. Chinese versus Chinese-American culture plays a pivotal role throughout the whole novel. The old timers, including Mah and Leon, seem to cling to the ways of their old country even though they live in America. At the same time, the old timers expect the freedom and promise of a better life since they are living in America.