How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I had many beautiful dreams. I dreamed of being an actress, holding bunches of flowers, bowing again and again to answer curtain calls. Until now I had never doubted that I could achieve anything I wanted. The future had been full of infinite possibilities. Now I was no longer sure that was still true. (1.79)
Poor Ji-li. She used to be full of hope and promise, but now she doesn't know what to hope for. It might seem a little dramatic for not getting into a dance troupe, but it's more about what it represents to her: She's worried that everything she's worked hard for in her life will be taken away.
Quote #2
I thought about my beautiful dreams and wondered if they would drift away just like those lovely soap bubbles. (1.81)
We love the idea of bubbles. First of all, bubbles are something little kids like to play with, which suggests that Ji-li's dreams were all a little kid-like or naïve. Then we think about the transient nature of bubbles. They pop and fade very quickly, just like all of Ji-li's dreams.
Quote #3
"Shi-yi…?" My dream! In spite of everything it was coming true! "That's right," she said. "You looked like you needed some good news to cheer you up." She patted me on the head and turned toward the office building. (5.16)
Phew. Here Ji-li was worried about her life being over, but her dreams can still come true. Yay. Of course, sometimes dreams are too good to be true… We'd like to now draw your attention to the next quote.
Quote #4
Another beautiful dream gone. I had been counting the days before the new term began. Now I saw the Shi-yi badge flash before my eyes and disappear. So did the new lunch box. They were gone in an instant, like soap bubbles. (5.33)
Just after getting her hopes up, they are dashed again. Ji-li is bummed about not getting to go to school where she'd always hoped. Plus, if this dream can be taken away, others can be, too. That's the part that really worries her.
Quote #5
That was my secret dream. And here was someone who had done it! I could not help feeling jealous. (7.22)
Meeting Mao, she means. Apparently, everybody wants to get some face time with Mao—he's the man behind the curtain, after all—and Ji-li is no different. She wants to meet Mao because she thinks of him as a god. She worships his ideals and thinks he's brilliant.
Quote #6
Wiping my eyes, I slowly walked home. With every step I hoped that Chairman Mao would forgive my black class status and let me be a Red Guard too. (7.27)
It's not just that Ji-li wants to shake Mao's hand. In fact, she worried he will judge her too harshly, even though he's the one putting her family (indirectly) through such hard times.
Quote #7
Whatever my family background was, I would overcome all difficulties. My future would be bright. (12.45)
Ji-li is so resilient. At first she's bummed that her dreams are being popped like soap bubbles, but then she decides she's going to make new plans and new dreams. We get to see her can-do attitude and tough approach first hand when she confides in us that she still wants a positive future.
Quote #8
"We urgently hope," the letter concluded, "that the Municipal Party Committee will investigate this situation and correct it before it is too late." The letter was signed, "The Revolutionary Masses." (16.9)
The incriminating letter begs the Communist Party to change their ways. Check out that phrase "urgently hope"—sometimes hope can feel pretty life-or-death.
Quote #9
Once my life had been defined by my goals: to be a da-dui-zhang, to participate in the exhibition, to be a Red Guard. They seemed unimportant to me now. Now my life was defined by my responsibilities. (17.17)
Over the course of the book, Ji-li grows up a lot. She changes from defining herself through her life goals and ability to achieve them into someone who knows the big role she plays in her family. It's not that she no longer has dreams and plans for the future; it's just that she realizes they aren't the only things that make her who she is.
Quote #10
If I can help Americans to understand China, and the Chinese to learn about the United States, even a little, I will feel very rewarded. I will have contributed something to my country, China, and my home, America. I hope this book will be part of that mission. (E.19)
As goals go, this is a big one. Bringing about real change in the way people from not one—but two—countries interact? That's a big deal. Ji-li reaches high and dares to dream big.