.
Throughout this movie there are many themes but one of the underlying them is that of poverty versus wealth. Jim's family was very wealthy and could do as they pleased without any worries. Inside and outside the house they had many Chinese servants that took care of the daily chores. Jim was a spoiled child and on one occasion was seen getting up to get some food. The Chinese servant told him, "your mother does not want you to eat before you go to bed", Jim's rely was, " but you have to do what I say", and he got his food and went to bed. He knew that she had to give him what he wanted or else she would be fired. Jim knew that she was poor and needed the job. However, I believe that by the end of the movie his attitude and charisma toward such activity had changed.
Jim's world was turned upside down when put into the prison camp because the life on earth was not so enjoyable for the boy. He had no free passes in the prison camp, and Jim soon finds a protector in Basie. Basie doesn't exactly play father to Jim; he permits him to exist in his own space and to survive on his own. Jim is a quick learner. Short, fast and somewhat invisible because of his youth, he has the run of the camp. He knows all the shortcuts and all the scams and steals to survive. I believe that in doing this he had to grow up real fast to fend for himself.
While at the prison camp there is one scene where the Japanese soldiers are raiding and breaking the windows of the dorms that the American and British civilians live in. Particularly the Japanese general is seeking to bash all the windows at the hospital. The British doctor stands up to the general and is severely beaten for his actions. On the contrary, Jim runs up to the general and speaks a few lines of the native tongue and then proceeds bow after saying them. Then general, in return, leaves the hospital alone and go on his way. This action by Jim showed the general that he had taken the time to learn a little of the language as well as some of the customs or norms.