Both narrators of The Valley of Amazement are obsessed with receiving ideal love. Initially, both target their own mothers as the source of that love and are devastated when the results fall far short of their expectations. Lulu feels herself to be exceptional, so her mother’s criticism wounds her. She constantly feels her aspirations diminished by both parents and sees their influence as a threat to her own hopes for a brilliant future for herself.

Similarly, Violet feels her mother’s attention withdrawn from her. When Lulu must break plans for Violet’s eighth birthday, the girl smashes all the presents her mother bought for her. She interprets Lulu’s behavior in the most cynical light and feel her mother cares more about her business clients than she does about her daughter. When Lulu unknowingly abandons her, Violet is initially convinced that her mother meant to leave her behind for the sake of her son in America.

Because of these early emotional disappointments, both Lulu and Violet gravitate to lovers whom they believe can meet all their emotional needs. Lulu initially projects her fantasies onto Lu Shing. She sees him as possessing the wisdom of the Orient. He is an ideal who can rescue her from the mediocrity of her life at home and will shower her with endless attention.