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Mr. Chiu does not seem overly concerned at the outset of the story about any ongoing political corruption and repression. His thoughts, as the story opens, are of a much more immediate and personal nature: the lunch that he and his bride are enjoying near the train station, on the upcoming lecture he is scheduled to deliver at an academic conference, and the prospect of returning home and resuming his day-to-day duties. Mr. Chiu enjoys, or believes that he enjoys, a certain level of privilege due to his work in academia. At home, he and his bride have some luxuries, including a color television. 

Initially, after the attack, Mr. Chiu tries tactics based on thought, logic, and reason. He appeals to the policemen’s sense of order and justice, and when that does not work, he vows to bring the matter to the attention of the higher judicial authorities and the major newspapers. Even as he is in prison, he sticks to his firm yet naïve belief that the law will ultimately come to his aid as a citizen. But as the story progresses, Mr. Chiu seems to lose or purposely abandon his sense of logic and rational thought. They are ultimately replaced by a violent, angry passion for revenge steeped in outrage over the misuse of power. 

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