Line Illuminator - Lexi Farnes

Red Scarf Girl
Ji-Li Jiang
Prologue, Chapters 1 & 2
Week 1
Line Illuminator

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"With my red scarf, the emblem of the Young Pioneers, tied around my neck, and my heart bursting with joy, I achieved and grew every day until that fateful year, 1996" (Page 1).  

In 1996, is the year when the Cultural Revolution started.  Ji-Li said that before the Cultural Revolution started, she was the happiest girl in the world, she was loved and respected, she was able to excel, and succeed.  She also mentioned that she was trusting and never doubted what she was told.  But when she was twelve years old in the year 1996, her life started to change.  Just because of a decision made by Chairman Mao, which was the Cultural Revolution.  Ever since I read this quote, I have had a question going through my mind.  Which is, what stopped her to achieve and grow every day once the Cultural Revolution started?  I think that once I get deeper into this book, I will hopefully find my answer to my question.  

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"Every day since then on the radio we heard about the need to end the evil and pernicious influences of the "Four Olds": old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits"(Page 21).  

Ever since Chairman Mao came up with "Four Olds", he told them that they would never succeed at building a strong socialist country until they destroyed it and establish the "Four News".  For example, lots of the names of shops had to do with old culture, so the signs of the shops had to be smashed so it could make way for new ideas.  In my opinion, I think it will be hard for them to destroy all the "Four Olds".  I also think destroying old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits is not a good idea.  In my opinion I think they should keep some of the "Four Olds", and not just destroy them all!