Political Repression in Chinese Literature

Republic of China (ROC) founded in . . .

1912

Peoples Republic of China (PRC) founded in . . .

1949

Anti-Rightist Campaign (ARC) lasted from . . .

1957 - 1958/59

Great Leap Forward (GLF) Famine lasted from . . .

1958 - 1962

The Cultural Revolution (CR) lasted from . . .

1966 - 1976

What is the name of the main character in To Live?

Fugui

Why was Long Er executed? How many times was he shot?

Because he was a landlord, shot 5 times

What is the name of Fugui's wife? What does she suffer from?

Jiazhen, suffers from soft bones disease

What is the name of Fugui's son? What does he care for in the books? What happens to him in the end (book and movie)?

Youqing, 2 sheep, he dies Book: incompetent blood technician takes too much blood to try to save the principle, Movie: the District Head backs into a wall, wall falls and kills Youqing

Why is the feng shui expert brought to the village?

in hopes of finding a location to have the best smelting

What happens to the smelting pot while Fugui's family is on duty?

The bottom melts out, however the iron is smelted

What happens to Chensheng?

He kills himself because of the endless beatings and harassment

Who said "Chairman Mao is a Rotten Egg?"

Hsaio, Tung Tung, Ching Ching

Why does Ching Ching's mom tell Ching Ching to not talk about his birthday?

Sounds counterrevolutionary, people will think they are capitalist; should only celebrate maos bday

Why does Ching Ching's mom not offer her camera?

Her camera is from a Japanese brand, might seem counterrevolutionary, also has been refused once, embarrassing

What color is associated with the revolution? What is the meaning?

Red: perceived as pro mao; communist; "revolutionary", "radical", "leftist", "progressive"

What color is associated with counterrevolutionary? What is the meaning?

Black: perceived as (anti-Mao); anti-communist, counterrevolutionary, capitalist, old-chinese

What factors cause Ching Ching's mom to give birth early?

Stress from fear, Tung Tung slammed the door on her tummy, Ching-Ching admitting he said the "reactionary slogan"

What game was Tung Tung and Ching Ching playing when Ching Ching said the reactionary slogan

______ is a rotten egg

Who are the 2 neighbors of Ching Ching?

The Wangs, Mr. Wang initially distant from Ching Ching's mom, however eventually lightened up to not get ratted on, comes from black background, fired nanny to seem red. The Chos, very Red, fluent in political correctness, children were supper revolutionary and not afraid to out someone

Name of Host? Name of Guest? (Reunion)

Yin, Tang

What makes Tang nervous? (Reunion)

Very counterrevolutionary posters (the 4 greats), incite violence, crazy neighbor accusing someone of being reactionary, policeman showing up and asking around for any counterrevolutionaries

What makes Yin nervous? (Reunion)

Tang's silent demeanor, does not talk much/reveal much to Yin, black brief case potentially caring files

Truth about Yin's situation? (Reunion)

Went out to buy bamboo shoots, whole day planned for together, lake trip and restaurant

Truth about Tang's situation? (Reunion)

Look forward to spending time with his friend, brought 2 boxes of fermented bean-curd

What excuse does Tang use to get out of his situation? (Reunion)

"I must catch a train to Shanghai"

Why does Yin feel relieved his visitor is leaving? (Reunion)

Feels like his visitor is trying to snoop on him and report him, when he is leaving can finally relax without fear

Where does Tang go? (Reunion)

Went to a lakeside restaurant looking over green waters waiting for wine and food, no regrets for his actions

What is important about the balcony? (Cats)

His wife, after escaping a "Cow Shed", jumped off and killed herself

What is his profession? Is he being used correctly? (Cats)

He was a professor, been assigned to clean out toilets

How does the first cat die?

A dumbbell fell onto the cats head

What does the old man do with the first cat after it dies? (Cats)

he wraps the body up in cloth and places it in a dumpster

Why does the old man start to panic? (Cats)

Red Guards assume this is political statement against Chairman Mao, hears women talking about a search to find the person who committed the act

How does the second cat die?

He strangles it, trying to keep it quiet, leaves to find a third cat but is unsuccessful.

How is he found by the Red Guard? (Cats)

wraps the cat in newspapers with his unit and name, found he has a black background, when storming his house he is going crazy, eventually falls off the balcony

Main Character in Fire? What is he known for?

Glass, he has sparking eyes (reflective gaze)

Who has more power? Common Criminals or Political Criminals? (Fire)

Common Criminals

What favors can the professor/doctor earn from the Director

professor's son can go to college to become a politician

Why was Glass jailed?

He changed up the story of an opera (added romance)

How did Glass die? What did he try to do before he died?

died by firing squad, tried to ruin his eyes so the professor couldn't have them

What background is Glass?

Black Background

What does the professor want from Glass?

Glass's corneas' to give to the Director?

What story does the professor make up in order to seem humane?

Glass died in a car accident and the mother, stricken by grief, offered her son's eyes for the greater good

What could the director see when he removed his bandages?

Fire, said his eyes hurt, everything was on fire, panicked

What happens to the director in the end? (how does he die?)

He escapes the hospital and dies in the pond by drowning. Professor screams, "He really did get burned alive . . . burned alive by hellfire!"

What catches Tang’s attention?

The neighbors outside arguing

Fengxia’s death different in movie to novel

• Novel: dies because of the lack of help 

• Movie: dies because the doctor was on house arrest and ate too much so he was unable to help