Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress Reading Questions(6)

P. 109-130

39. What themes in the Western books most captured the boys’ attention? How did these open up a new world to them?
The mystery of the outside world, especially the world of women, love and sex as revealed in the Western books most captured the boys’ attention. The boys became to know more about things relates to a new world such as Western countries. Everything in the books was strange and interesting to them.
40. The narrator recounts that Romain Rolland’s Jean-Christophe captured his attention more than any other. What theme from the novel attracted the narrator? Why would this theme be such a revolutionary idea?
Jean-Christophe’s fierce individualism utterly untainted by malice captured the narrator’s attention. It is a revolutionary idea because China was a strongly communist society so individualism was completely eliminated at that time. The narrator states that his poor educated and re-educated brains bad been incapable of grasping the notion o one man standing up against the whole world. In communist society, individuals can not against the whole world. And if you do, you are executed. Therefore, this theme was one of thoroughly forbidden themes.
41. Analyze the importance of Luo’s adventures to the Little Seamstress. What does a red-beaked raven have to do with his journey?
Luo really wants to go to the Little Seamstress even though it is hard to him to cross the ridge since he has a dread of heights. It shows us that how Luo wants to see and read books to the Little Seamstress because he tries to master his fear for the Little Seamstress.
42. Analyze the meaning behind the narrator’s dream. What does it portent about the future of Luo and the Little Seamstress?
In my opinion, it is an ominous dream of Luo and the Little Seamstress’ future. Because the Little Seamstress hair wasn’t tied back into her usual long, thick pigtail, and as she ran, her hair floated out over her shoulders like wings. It means that she has been changed. Also, I think that the simile, wings expresses the appearance of week and thin girl. Besides, the Little Seamstress died but Luo could not help her not to fall over the side. I think love of Luo and the Little Seamstress would end would end sadly.
43. What does the village headman ask Luo to do when he returns to the village? What does this say about the rules of the Cultural Revolution and the knowledge that is banned?
The village headman asks Luo to fix his tooth when he returns to the village. It says about the rules of the Cultural Revolution that patients could not complain to the revolutionary doctors because the village headman could not even complain to the revolutionary doctor who pulled out a good tooth and left the bad one even though he is really painful. Also, it says about the western knowledge that is banned.
44. The Little Seamstress’ father stays with Luo and the narrator when he visits the village. What is the reason for his choice of accommodations and what surprising thing does the narrator do for him?
The Little Seamstress’ father wants them to tell stories and it was the reason for his choice of accommodation. So the narrator takes on the role of bedtime story teller. He tells the story about a French sailor to the tailor.
45. When the village headman overhears the narrator telling the tale of the Count of Monte Cristo, he barges into the boys home. Why does he protest against the story? What does he insist that the narrator do? What is the narrator’s response? What is the village headman’s only alternative?
The village headman protests against the story because he thinks that the narrator has been spreading reactionary trash and the count in the narrator’s story is Chinese who reacts to communism. He strongly insists that the narrator tells the reactionary story so the narrator says that it is not but he did not believe the narrator. The village headman said that if Luo can cure his tooth, he’ll leave his friend here alone. If not, he’ll march him straight to the Security Office and report him for spreading reactionary filth.