See's novel uses Mao's China as her background, but her story focuses on the change and growth of her main characters – Pearl, Joy, Z.G., and May.

Susan Salter Reynolds suggests that “it’s a story with characters who enter a reader’s life, take up residence, and illuminate the myriad decisions and stories that make up human history.”[2] Dreams of Joy is organized in four sections—The Tiger Leaps, The Rabbit Dodges, The Dog Grins, and The Dragon Rises.

Driven by anger at Pearl and May for lying to her about her identity and filled with guilt because of her role in Sam's death, Joy hastily leaves Los Angeles Chinatown to find her biological father Z.G.

Finding her father rather quickly in Shanghai, Joy goes with him to a village collective where he is forced to teach art to the peasants.

Joy throws herself enthusiastically into the life of the collective and into a hasty marriage with Tao, a peasant artist.

Only through motherhood and terrible suffering is Joy able to find her true identity and to exorcise her inner demons.

Although close to Mao himself, the Chairman can't trust the artist because of his individualistic streak and Western influences.

through in the end are his art, his growing love for Joy and his granddaughter Samantha, his friendship with Pearl, and his devotion to May.

Tao is a poor husband, an indifferent father, and a young man devoted to seeking the main chance, no matter who he has to step over to reach his goals.

[5] In Shanghai Girls Mama speaks frequently of Pearl's Dragon nature -- and does so even when she is dying: "'There was a typhoon the day you were born...

She is constantly present, however, through her letters to Pearl and the money and gifts she sends to her sister and Joy.

"[8] One of the ways Joy finds herself is through her art, inspired in part by her father Z.G., a famous painter.

According to Malena Watrous, "This is a novel about living with the consequences of bad decisions, which we all make, about how both forgiveness and growth arise from mistakes."

It deals with "people who often take wrong turns to their own detriment but for the good of the story, leading to greater strength of character and more durable relationships.