Question:
2. What is the cultural and educational background of the author and how did this background influence the book? In what ways do the events in the books reveal evidence of the author’s world view?
Answer:
This book was based on the author, Ji-li Jiang, life experience during the cultural revolution. Ji-li was born in the year of 1954, therefore when the cultural evolution started in 1966, she was already at an age in which she understood the basics of government. Ji-Li Jiang is the name of the main character of the book, which demonstrates that the novel is an fictional- autobiography of the authors life in China. An example that shows a reflection of the authors life is when the main character of the book is destroying a sign showing "four olds". This is a part of the authors life that stayed in her memory, therefore she wrote this part in the book because it was an experience that marked her life. Additionally, it states in the book that Ji-li's family (real life & novel) have a different/ controversial governmental background. Therefore, in the novel she cannot try out for certain things and hang out with certain people. All in all, since this story is an autobiography there is defiantly educational and cultural influences of the authors life in the novel.
Citation:
"Ji-li Jiang, Author of Red Scarf Girl." Ji-li Jiang, Author of Red Scarf Girl. Ed. Ji-li Jiang. Info@JiliJiang.com, 2014. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. <http://www.jilijiang.com/>.
I like how you used solid evidence to back up your side. Do you know if the author or her family had difficulties during the revolution? If so, it would tell us more about where her ideas come from to write this book. I think that for your side to be even more powerful, it could have some more evidence and some analysis to make readers like me rely even more on you.
ReplyDeleteSabrina, I agree with everything you said. The four olds, as you mentioned is a big step for China. They are removing old customs, culture, habits and ideas and bring in the four news. The Cultural Revolution greatly influenced Ji Li's life. Because her uncle was a landlord, she is always being teased and judged. Her family's black background prevented her from doing many things. In the beginning of the book, we saw how she couldn't go audition to become a Red Guard because she wouldn't get in with her family background. Also, when she was elected to be a Red Guard in her class, she didn't make it because of her family's past. Throughout the book, we see more ways in which Ji Li's life is affected by that.
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