Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress - Rivella49s Blog.pptVIP

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress Context The Chinese Communist leader Mao Tse-tung (1893-1976) greatly believed in the revolutionary potential of the peasantry. The Cultural Revolution (1966-1969) which he promoted essentially taught the Chinese masses that it was right to revolt against those in posts of authority and to play an active role in making decisions. In a bid to ensure fidelity to Chairman Maos ideology, all government officials, politicians and those generally seen as a threat were subjected to revolutionary self-criticism and struggle sessions. These could take any form, such as large public humiliation trials (like Luos father in the novel), Red Guard interrogations, imprisonment, exile or death beatings (in some cases individuals committed suicide to avoid these). In addition, in the early years following 1968, an estimated 12 million urban youths were relocated to the countryside to be re-educated by the peasants. In contrast to the propaganda posters depicting exquisite rural scenes where the youths enjoyed their experiences and flourished under the peasants guidance, many young intellectuals found it hard to cope with the harsh reality of life in the mountains and some died. Furthermore, the peasants often resented their presence, viewing them as a threat to their own existence. Dai Sijie was himself re-educated between 1971 and 1974. Structure Part I: 3-38 – LM discover shit (peasant life/ CR), talents LCS Part II: 41-98 – ‘BA-ER-ZAR-KE’, “love” “like horses” vs. “revolutionary blather” (53), possibility of transformation (94) allowed by closing “successful burglary” Part III: 101-172 – “we were seduced, overwhelmed, spellbound by the mystery of the outside world, especially the world of women, love and sex as revealed to us by these Western writers day after day, page after page, book after book.” (101), “once you had read it, neither your own life nor the world you lived in would ever look the same.” (103); “pulled out a good tooth and