Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir og the Cultural Revolution

ROAR Notes

Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution

By: Ji-Li Jiang

            Ji-Li was born on Chinese New year. Her name meant lucky and beautiful. The story takes place during the Cultural Revolution, 1966, and at this time Ji-Li was 12 in the 6thh grade. One day while she was in school there a liberation soldier that called her and another student down to the gymnasium. Ji-Li had thoughts in her head about the soldier. Ji-Li was chosen for Central Liberation Army Arts Academy, so all her hopes and worries were for nothing. Since she was chosen, she had to audition but her father didn’t let her audition due to family political background investigation. There was a leader, Chairman Chao, who wanted to get rid of the four olds, which consisted of old ideas, old culture, old customs and old habits. Chao said the four olds was holding everyone back. A couple of time goes by. Students in school started to write horrible things to their teachers about the black olds, Ji-Li couldn’t find a way to attack her teachers that way because she had respect. Ji-Li saw herself in a mess. A rumor had spread around school saying that she has relations with a male teacher. To avoid embarrassment her parents told her to stay home. After a period of time she does return to school and is asked to become the Red Guard, but when people hear about the rumor, she is taken out the nomination. The Cultural Revolution begins to take Ji-Li as a victim. The Red Guards broke into her house and began to search. Her father was falsely accused, he was arrested, leaving the family and bringing stress. Because of this, Ji-Li is dismissed from the class Education Exhibition she was participating in. Her and her siblings couldn’t see or talk to their dad. After the first search in Ji-Li’s house, the Red Guards came in for the second time, and again destroyed the house. When thin face threatens Ji-Li her family is put at risk, because of the Letter they want. Although she didn’t give up the letter, the letter was found, and Ji-Li’s mom was forced to attend study groups and the Grandma was forced to clean. Towards the last chapters (ending of the books), Ji-Li starts to step in and take responsibility of taking care of her family. “The clouds dispersed and the sky lightened a bit. Grandma picked up her broom and turned stiffly around to come home. “Another day.”  I took a deep breath and shook my head. “I will do my job. I will.” This quote was important because it finishes off the story, to me that is like the ending of her childhood, and the beginning of Ji-Li. This quote leaves off as a cliffhanger because you stay wondering what “work”, is she going to do. The quote also shows that she is very strong because she grew up to be a responsible woman, despite what happened in her childhood.