Chapter 7 continues the examination of Shenzhen, the Overnight City. The disparity between society within and beyond the gate is echoed in popular personalities that represent the two groups. While a young radio host counsels factory workers on the personal relationships, a young author pens a narrative about upward mobility, materialism and mistresses.
Hessler's account is from the vantage of a migrant factory worker as she defies most traditional Chinese conventions (being aggressive, living with her boyfriend). Much of the economic and political experimentation in Shenzhen as led to new traditions in society. Emily, Hessler's former student, thinks that this has led to a breakdown of the socialism and group mentality common in China. As migrant workers breakdown the family unit, individualism takes more importance (leading to her own new found aggressiveness). However, she also believes that the culture within the gates has adopted Western ideals of materialism too enthusiastically, leading to a city without a soul.
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