The Patriot Author:Pearl S. Buck The story begins as I-wan is a young adult. He is thrown into jail for reading revolutionary literature where he meets En-lan. Because I-wan's father is a wealthy banker, he is able to secure his own and En-lan's release. The backstory from En-lan of the Chinese prisons and the routine executions of young men for political reasons is chilling. I... more »-wan becomes involved in the revolutionary movement as his older brother I-ko becomes involved in the fast life of gambling and women. The house maid or slave Peony is told about I-wan's politics. I-wan's political activities put him on a death list which results in his banishment to Japan, while I-ko must be exiled to Germany for stealing from the bank.« less