Juan Carlos Thomas
Chapters 6-9
Week 3
Historical Context Question
How did historical events influence the ideas in the novel? What cultural issues may have influenced, challenged, or inspired the author?
Historical Events play a big role on any written memoir. Red Scarf Girl is based on the Cultural Revolution that occurred from 1966 until 1976 ( History, Cultural Revolution ). Mao Zedong , also know as Chairman Mao, was the president of the People's Republic of China from 1945 until 1976 ( Wikipedia, Mao Zedong ). He believed China needed to get rid of the Four Olds, meaning: old culture, old ideas, old habits and old customs. Mao Zedong began a political movement with the intention of getting rid of China's old culture and establish a new culture in the country.
Red Scarf Girl was published in 1997, which was about two decades after the Cultural Revolution ended. The author, Ji-Li Jiang, wrote this book with the purpose of sharing her childhood memories of surviving the Cultural Revolution in China ( Ji-Li Jiang, Biography ). A big idea that is being shown in the book is the fact that Ji-Li Jiang is treated unfairly because of her family background ( Jiang, 58 ). This is an example of an idea being influenced by historical events. If your grandfather was a " landlord " or your father was a rightist ", you would be treated unfairly.Obviously, the Cultural Revolution, itself, influenced the ideas in the novel. The Red Guards would come search your house for any objects supporting the " four-olds " ( Jiang, 134 ). I strongly think the idea that Mao Zedong wanted to get rid of the " four-olds " inspired the author to write about the " The Sound of Drums and Gongs " and about her family being worried about the Red Guards coming into their house. In conclusion, Ji-Li Jiang's childhood memories were mainly influenced by the Cultural Revolution in China.
This is a great post Juan. I like how you had many citations. Also I liked how you had connection to the four olds. The four olds are in China still and at the Cultural Revolution. Also in this book.
ReplyDeleteI agree the idea that influenced the author was her own life. But I don't agree with your first answer. Yes, the ideas of cultural revolution, are in the classic novel RED SCARF GIRL, but How is MAO ZEDONG a PRESIDENT. He is a DICTATOR! I also think it didn't mean to change the culture and thoughts about people. It is changing the people to his minds and think more about him and his GANG. But I agree it also had to do with changing the old culture and thoughts.
For your second answer, it was mostly her Memories about Cultural Revolution as a Child. But it had to do more with her thoughts about Mao Zedong. Because in a site called (MAO ZEDONg and JI LI JIANG) Ji li jiang said " I put my experience as a girl in this classic novel, but, it has more to do with my thoughts and my parents thoughts about the cultural revolution." So I still agree with her experience with the cultural revolution, she had more thoughts in than experience.
But still nice post! I just want you to tell more information about the book and the author's thoughts.