Revolution is not a dinner party

This story was interesting. I had no idea what to expect. I am glad I researched a little on what the Chinese revolution was to begin with. Just the background on what the purpose of the revolution was helped me understand the story more with a much greater appreciation. When I first started reading the story I had no idea what to expect and really had no expectations. But after I read it I found that my understanding of freedom is a little more different. One of the things that the father said that I think really helped my understanding was when he would talk about freedom. He said “freedom is being able to read what you want and say what you think” and that was not something that was thought much of during this time. Students had to have the “three piece treasure, a Mao jacket, a Mao button, and Mao’s little red book of revolutionary instructions.” Students and teachers were required to carry these on their person at all times and if they did not then they would be punished. They had no control. The people were not allowed to read what they wanted or speak their minds without fear of judgment and persecution. It was unheard of that families would think about leaving. Leaving was seen as abandonment and that would make you a traitor. I could not imagine not being able to leave from one place to go to another with knowing that I am betraying something.

            The beginning of the story it was as if it was the foundation for the rest of the story. We see how families and people would come together. Especially with Ling’s family and the Wong family; they would come together and love the other’s child as their own. It made no difference. Mrs. Wong loved Ling enough to make her clothes and spend time with her and Ling’s parents took Niu  in as if he were their own. They loved him. They loved him enough to take him in but that did not stop the Red Guards from turning him against them. He would try to run away and when that did not work he turned and joined the forces against the antirevolutionaries. He betrayed the one family who cared enough for him. We see another example of this with the relationship a grandmother has with her grandchildren. She would do anything to keep them safe. She disowned her own daughter, after she committed suicide, in order to help her family. She was willing to turn away from what she believed in in the first place.

The beginning of the story we are introduced to this quiet and meek child named Ling who is not one to speak up when she does not agree. She questions everything and does not think that there is anything wrong with people. If someone is in her life she believes that they are there because they are good people; like Comrade Li. She woud trade with him and built a relatonshipwith him but that did not last. By the end of the story it is as if this innocent little child is having to embrace life with a whole new perspective. She now has a goal and something to look to. Her one and only goal is to be with her family and free. Free at the Golden Gate Bridge. That is her only desire.