How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Heaven and earth are great, but greater still is the kindness of the Communist Party; father and mother are dear, but dearer still is Chairman Mao." (P.2)
Here's an example of the ideas that are told to kids from the time they are born. It's no wonder that Ji-li says everyone was brainwashed, right? Mao is supposedly even more important than family or heaven and earth. Whoa.
Quote #2
Every day since then on the radio we heard about the need to end the evil and pernicious influences of the "Four Olds": old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits. Chairman Mao told us we would never succeed at building a strong socialist country until we destroyed the "Four Olds" and established the "Four News." (2.7)
Early on, Ji-li introduces us to the central idea of the Cultural Revolution. It's more about changing minds than anything else, and people have to get rid of anything from the olden days. It's a pretty radical shift.
Quote #3
We were proud of our precious red scarves, which, like the national flag, were dyed red with the blood of our revolutionary martyrs. We had often been sorry that we were too young to have fought with Chairman Mao against the Japanese invaders, who tried to conquer China. (2.44)
Ji-li wishes she were around during the previous revolution so she could help out with it. Thing is, the big moments that make history are really tough for the people living through them… as Ji-li soon learns first-hand.