Tai-Pan

Tai-Pan — James Clavell

Dirk Struan: The main character of the novel, Dirk Struan is the head of Struan & Company, the greatest private trading company in nineteenth-century Asia. He has a tumultuous and often abusive relationship with Tyler Brock, his chief rival, and the two men are engaged in a constant struggle to destroy each other in matters of business and personal affairs. Struan is referred to as the Tai-pan, or "Supreme Leader," throughout the novel.
Tyler Brock: Tyler Brock is the owner of a rival trading company, Brock & Sons Trading Company. He is a former shipmate of Dirk Struan and the two men have a rocky and often abusive relationship. Brock is Struan's chief rival and the two are constantly trying to one-up each other in business and personal matters.
Culum Struan: Culum Struan is the son of Dirk Struan and Ronalda. He is born in 1824 and is sent to Glasgow with his mother shortly after his birth. Ronalda never returns to China. Culum is an important character in the novel, but his role is not fully revealed until later in the story.
Gordon Chen: Gordon Chen is the illegitimate son of Dirk Struan and his mistress, Chen Kai Sung. He is born in 1824 and is an important character in the novel, but his role is not fully revealed until later in the story.
May-May: May-May is Jin-qua's granddaughter and is secretly assigned the task of teaching Dirk Struan "civilized" (Chinese) ways when she becomes his mistress in 1837. May-May is a secondary character in the novel.

Competition: The intense competition between Dirk Struan and Tyler Brock drives much of the plot of the novel. The two men are constantly trying to one-up each other in business and personal matters, and their rivalry becomes increasingly bitter as the story progresses.
Power: The theme of power is present throughout the novel, as the main characters struggle for dominance in their personal and professional lives. Dirk Struan is referred to as the Tai-pan, or "Supreme Leader," and his position at the head of Struan & Company gives him a great deal of power and influence in nineteenth-century Asia.
Identity: The theme of identity is explored through the character of Dirk Struan, who is of mixed Chinese and Scottish heritage. Struan is torn between his two cultural identities and struggles to find his place in the world as a result.
Colonialism: The novel is set in the context of British colonialism in Asia, and the theme of colonialism is present throughout the story. The main characters are involved in the opium trade, which was a major factor in the opium wars that allowed for European colonization of China. The novel also explores the cultural tensions and power dynamics between the British and the Chinese.

The novel is set in Hong Kong, following the British victory in the first Opium War and the seizure of the island.
The main characters are Dirk Struan and Tyler Brock, former shipmates and owners of rival trading companies.
Dirk Struan begins his career as a powder monkey on a British ship at the age of seven, and later becomes captain of his own ship on the opium trade.
In 1826, Struan and Brock have their licenses withdrawn and are financially ruined. Brock makes a secret agreement with another opium trader, while Struan becomes a clandestine smuggler for other China traders.
In 1834, free trade reforms allow Struan and Brock to legally trade, and their armed fleets expand.
By 1838, Struan & Company is recognized as the Noble House, and is involved in various lines of business, including smuggling opium and trading spices, tea, and silk. It also possesses nineteen intercontinental clipper ships.
Brock & Sons Trading Company is a close rival to Struan & Company, with thirteen clipper ships.
Additional characters include Culum Struan, the son of Dirk Struan and Ronalda; Gordon Chen, the illegitimate son of Dirk Struan and his mistress, Chen Kai Sung; and May-May, Jin-qua's granddaughter and Dirk Struan's mistress.