Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution
Introduction
Red Scarf Girl is a memoir by Ji-li Jiang that chronicles her experiences growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution. The book was originally published in Chinese in 1997 and was translated into English in 2004. It has since been translated into over 20 languages and has sold over 2 million copies worldwide.
Summary
The memoir begins with Jiang’s childhood in Shanghai. She is a bright and ambitious girl who dreams of becoming an actress. However, her dreams are shattered when the Cultural Revolution begins in 1966. The Red Guards, a group of high school and university students, are formed to combat the Four Olds—old ideas, culture, customs, and habits. Traditional ideas, such as respect for teachers and learning, are rejected, and schools are closed.
Jiang’s family is targeted by the Red Guards because of their class status. Her father is an actor who works at the Children’s Art Theater. He is held prisoner at the theater when false accusations are made against him. Jiang’s mother is a former actress who now works in a sporting-goods store. She has occasional bouts of illness that make it necessary for Jiang to take on more responsibility.
Jiang and her siblings are also targeted by the Red Guards. They are humiliated and beaten, and their home is searched. Jiang is forced to denounce her father and mother, and she is made to wear a red scarf, a symbol of her support for the Cultural Revolution.
Despite the hardships she faces, Jiang remains hopeful. She believes that the Cultural Revolution will eventually end, and she dreams of a better future for herself and her family.
Themes
Red Scarf Girl explores a number of themes, including:
- Loyalty: Jiang faces many challenges in Red Scarf Girl, but perhaps the most difficult is her need to choose between her family and Chairman Mao. When the Cultural Revolution dictates that she put its goals ahead of her family’s welfare, Jiang is caught in a terrible internal conflict.
- Individuality: Jiang has a strong personality. At the beginning of the book, she is proud of her accomplishments and abilities, and she strives to stand out among her classmates. As the Cultural Revolution takes hold, Jiang finds that the movement does not value the things that make her unique, but is instead concerned only with her class status and her commitment to the principles of the Revolution.
- Suspense: Suspense is created when the reader is unsure of an outcome, or when the reader suspects an outcome and dreads it. There are many suspenseful situations in Red Scarf Girl. One is the second search of the Jiangs’ house when the reader does not know whether the searchers will find the hidden letter. A longer, more drawn-out suspenseful situation is the confinement of Jiang’s father. The reader is not certain when or whether he will be released.
Critical Reception
Red Scarf Girl has received critical acclaim. It has been praised for its vivid portrayal of the Cultural Revolution and its insights into the human spirit. The book has been awarded numerous awards, including the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature and the Michael L. Printz Award.
Educational Value
Red Scarf Girl is a valuable resource for students studying the Cultural Revolution. The book provides a firsthand account of the events of the Cultural Revolution and its impact on the lives of ordinary people. The book can also be used to teach students about the importance of loyalty, individuality, and courage.