Characters
Their family debts forced them to work their way through college. They are associated with two of the Five Black Categories—landlords and rightists and they faced difficult times during the revolution. Who are they?
Who is Ji-Li's father?
"Now our chance had come. Destroying the four olds was a new battle, and an important one: It would keep China from losing her Communist ideals. Though we were not facing real guns or real tanks, this battle would be even harder, because our enemies, the rotten ideas and customs we were so used to, were inside ourselves." What/Who is Ji-Li most loyal to in this quote: The Revolution or her family?
What is the Revolution?
"All my treasures were scattered on the floor. The butterfly fell out of its glass box; one wing was crushed under a bottle of glass beads. My collection of candy wrappers had fallen out of their notebook and were crumpled under my stamp album."
Who is Ji-Li?
In the early days of the Cultural Revolution, Ji-li Jiang finds a single, fragile wildflower.
What is herself, sadness?
Where Ji-Li faints while near the thresher
What is the rice field?
Ji-li admires this person. They help her multiple times throughout the story, cutting rice and handing her a dictionary she left in the booth. Who are they?
Who is Bai Shan?
"The young Mao in the painting wore a long cotton gown and cloth shoes, and he carried an umbrella under his arm. His brilliant eyes were looking into the distance as if he were already thinking about the great revolutionary task that lay ahead of him. I could not look at the painting without feeling inspired. I was ready to follow him anywhere." What/Who is Ji-Li most loyal to in this quote: The Revolution or her family?
What is The Revolution?
I just couldn’t bear to sell them,” she said sadly. “Even when your father was in college and we needed the money.” She picked up a lovely gold-patterned robe and said softly, “This was a government official’s uniform. I remember my grandfather wearing it.”
Who is Ji-Li's Grandma?
What is a criminal?
Where Dad repaints the trunks
What is the roof?
They grew up in a privileged family and were among the few Chinese individuals of their era who earned a high school degree. Now they have to clean the alley. Who are they?
Who is Ji-Li's grandmother?
"And your mother. Humph. She’s another despicable thing!”
“She’s not a thing, she’s a human being,” I wanted to scream, but I knew that I should not provoke him. He could have me arrested, he could never let me see Dad again, he could beat Dad…." What/Who is Ji-Li most loyal to in this quote: The Revolution or her family?
What is her family?
"What I want you to know is, whether or not your grandpa was a landlord and an exploiter, it isn't your responsibility. Even I don't have a clear memory of him, so it doesn't have to matter to you at all. You can still hold your heads up. Understand?"
Who is Ji-li's Dad?
The red scarf Ji-li wears
What is a Young Pioneer?
Where Ji-Yong climbs the fence to go to
What is Uncle Tian's House?
This character and Ji-Li both have black class statuses. This character's mother, a teacher, was subjected to public humiliation in struggle sessions, and had to climb the factory chimney. This character is accused of being too bougie and is one of Ji-Li's friends. Who are they?
Who is An-Yi?
"I wished I had been born into a red family so I could do my revolutionary duties without worrying." What/Who is Ji-Li most loyal to in this quote: The Revolution or her family?
What is the Revolution?
"You know the junior high school admissions policy has been changed," _______ said. "Instead of an entrance exam, teachers are assigning students to their schools."... "Ji-li, all the sixth-grade teachers agreed to assign you to Shi-Yi Junior High."
Who is Teacher Gu?
The red and gold trunks Ji-Li's grandma got for her wedding
What is "fourolds"?
Where all the da-zi-bao were hung
What is the outside of the school and the courtyard/playground?
This character inspires Ji-Li and tells her that she can overcome her black background. This character is her new English teacher. Who are they?
Who is Teacher Zhang?
"I had promised during the days that Grandma and I had hidden in the park; I had promised when I had not testified against Dad; I had promised when I had hidden the letter." What/Who is Ji-Li most loyal to in this quote: The Revolution or her family?
What is her family?
I heard ____ speaking to her in the kitchen. "We really hate to let you go. But if the Red Guards found out, they would accuse us of exploiting working people." ______'s voice sounded uncomfortable.
Who is Ji-li's mom?
Pointed shoes, using face cream, dressing in a Western style
What is "bougeois?
Where Grandma and the kids spent the day, so they wouldn't be home if the Red Guards came
What is the park?