The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution “was a social-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 until 1976.”(A) It was created by the chairman of the Communist party of China, Mao Zedong. The youth of China was greatly influenced by the revolution. To show their devotion the made an Association of Red Guard groups all around China. The effects Cultural Revolution influenced the author of Red Scarf Girl, Jiang Ji-Li to write her novel.
“Wiping my eyes, I slowly walked home. With every step I hoped that Chairman Mao would my black class status and let me be a Red Guard too.” ( Page 116) Ji-Li had thought this quote as she was walking home from the meeting with Jia Hong-yu. She was crying because of how happy Jia Hong-yu was when she told the story of how she saw Chairman Mao. This demonstrates how much she, and others were affected by Chairman Mao in the revolution. They weren’t able to have the same privileges, like being a Red Guard as those who have “perfect” social class families. On page 58 Jiang Ji-Li is greatly influenced by embarrassment from a da-zi bao that a classmate had written about her. “( Let’s Look at the Relationship Between Ke Cheng and his Favorite Student, Jiang Ji-li) I suddenly felt dizzy. Relationship? Me? A relationship with a male teacher? The whole world faded before my eyes. The only things I could see were the Jiang Ji-Li and the word relationship.” This quote shows how she was influenced by her classmates to write her novel because of certain incidents that happened to her caused by them. Lastly in the very beginning of the book, there is a scene where Jiang Ji-Li gets picked to audition to be a Liberation Army Dancer, but her father refusing to let her go. “ Ji-Li,” I heard Dad call. I looked up.Mom and Dad and Grandma were looking at each other solemnly. “ It might be better not to do the audition.” Dad spoke slowly, but his tone was serious,very serious.” ( Page 17) This indicates that how she foreshadowed in her story. But at the time she was truly confused and had no idea what was coming for her next. Overall, the Cultural Revolution influenced the author of Red Scarf Girl, Jiang Ji-li to write her novel, because of the effect of Chairman Mao, her classmates and her parents.
- "Cultural Revolution." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Sept. 2014. Web. 09 Nov. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_Revolution>.
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