How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Who would have believed that our entire educational system was wrong after all? Seventeen years after Liberation, the newspapers told us, our schools were not bringing us up to be good red socialists and communists, as we had thought, but revisionists. (3.1)
Ever heard the phrase "history is written by the victors"? Basically, it just means that whoever's in power gets to tell the story of how things went down. So when Mao's in power, well, history gets a bit of a rewrite.
Quote #5
But I dared not ask to switch to the other group. I would certainly be criticized for letting my family relationships interfere with my political principles. I had no choice but to go. (3.27)
As soon as her classmates start taking the revolution into their own hands, Ji-li gets a glimpse of what it's going to be like in the future. This is what we literary types like to call foreshadowing. Ji-li will later have to choose between family and politics. Here, she takes the political route.
Quote #6
Red Guards were everywhere. Since the newspapers had praised them as the pioneers of the Cultural Revolution, every high school and college had organized Red Guards to rebel against the old system. (4.7)
Imagine suddenly having guards all around your school and city. It would certainly be scary, right? Especially since it all happens so quickly. This is all about politics. The Guards are sent there to keep a watchful eye on everyone and make sure they are following the new rules.