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Reading
and Study Questions |
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1.
How is Fan Shen’s life and journey reflected or symbolized by the five
elements (fire, earth, metal, wood, water) Lao Tzu mentions?
I.
Fire: 1. “Burn the ---How
does Fan react (physically and emotionally) to his invitation to the
book burning? For what purpose did the students burn the books? ---What
is Fan’s “revolutionary pedigree,” i.e. how might Fan’s family be called
“revolutionary?” ---How
does Fan define a “true revolutionary?” 2. “Long Live the Red Terror!”: ---What
is the “Red Terror?” Would you
consider Fan Shen to be part of the Red Terror?
How does Fan react to some of the consequences of the Red Terror? ---What
are “struggle rallies?” ---What
are “big-letter posters?” ---What
do you think the “Great Leader” means when he says that ‘Revolution
is not a dinner party…?” 3. “That’s My Piano”: ---What
is Fan’s reaction upon meeting Li Ling?
How does Fan foreshadow further meetings with her later on in
the book? ---Who
is “Whiskers” and in what way is he considered a “true revolutionary?” What are Fan’s feelings about Whiskers and his
methods? ---Why
is suicide considered to be an “antirevolutionary act?” ---Who
utters the title of this chapter, “That’s my piano?”
What does this utterance tell you about his/her character? 4. “The Great Wall Fighting Team”: ---Who
takes the initiative in forming the Great Wall Fighting Team? ---What
was “Campaign Number One” for the Fighting Team? ---How
has the revolution become a game for Fan Shen? ---Why
has the revolution become a “thoroughly confusing affair” for Fan? ---How
does the Great Leader respond to the “campaigns” of the Red Guards?
Why do you think he respond as he does? 5. “Revolution Means Chopping Life”: ---How
is the literal Chinese rendering of “revolution”—“chop life”—descriptive
of the nature and character of revolution itself? ---How
does the revolution begin to turn against Fan Shen
and strike him personally? ---How
is the revolution hurtful to familial relationships? ---How
and why is Fan considered to be “antirevolutionary?” ---At
the end of the chapter, what is Fan’s view of the revolution?
Why does Fan describe this time as “the darkest days of his life?” 6. The Forbidden Books: ---Why
did the Red Guards confiscate books, art works, religious artifacts,
etc. from the people? ---Fan
quotes Confucius—“Stealing books is not theft”—do you think this is
true in Fan’s context? Why or
why not? ---Of
all the Chinese classics of literature, Fan likes “Journey to the West”
the best. Why? How
is Fan like the monkey-king from the Journey to the West? As you read the book, keep the image of the
monkey-king in mind and compare it to Fan on his journey. ---How
did books “sow the seeds of ambition” in Fan?
Notice the role books play in Fan’s journey throughout the book. 7. The Great Leader Meets the Red Guards: ---What
is the “significant change” that occurred in revolution in the summer
of 1967, which Fan alludes to? ---What
was Fan’s “loneliest moment of [his] life?”
How do Fan’s parents react to this situation?
What do you think of their reaction? ---How
does Fan react to the visit of the “Great Saint?”
How do the others in the crowd react?
How is Fan different from the crowd? ---Why
does Fan Shen faint during Chairman Mao’s address?
II.
Earth 8. The Journey West: ---What
was the Great Leader’s rationale for sending the millions of Red Guards
(including Fan) into the countryside? ---How
does Fan’s family react to the Revolutionary Committee’s decision to
send him to the countryside? ---Why
do you think Fan entitles this second section of his book, “Earth?”
(Again, keep in mind Fan’s quote of Lao Tzu before the books preface). 9. “The Bejing Kids”: ---What
is “Red Army Hill,” and what is its role in the “reeducation” of Fan
Shen and his fellow Red Guard friends from
the city? ---What
is the campaign to “Remodel the Globe?” ---Who
is Uncle Cricket; what is his message to Fan and the others throughout
the chapter? ---What
is the Great Leader’s “Harden our Heart’s” slogan?
How does Fan receive it? (Note: this slogan is found throughout
the book, and is very important in Fan’s journey). 10. “Be a Revolutionary Peasant”: ---What
is Smoking Devil’s idea of being a “true revolutionary peasant?” ---What
is Smoking Devil’s “ingenious plan?”
(Note: this plan, or a derivative of it, will be instrumental
in Fan’s journey later in the book). ---What
was Fan’s “useful lesson” drawn from Big Quilt’s situation? 11. The ---What
was Fan’s practical joke on Uncle Cricket? ---How
does the new well of Uncle Cricket’s and the whole project on Red Army
Hill (a.k.a “Nipple Hill”), reflect the Communist Party’s view toward
nature? ---How
did Fan eventually escape from the village? 12. The Barefoot Doctor: ---What
were Chairman Mao’s teachings regarding barefoot doctors?
Why do you think he held this view?
Remember, Mao held this view not only of barefoot doctors, but
of everyone in society. ---Describe
Fan’s attitude towards his patients; does it reflect the Chinese government’s
attitude toward its citizens? 13. Moon Face: ---Who
is Moon Face? How was Moon Face affected by the Cultural Revolution?
Why do you think Fan Shen was drawn to him? ---What
was Uncle Cricket’s opinion of Moon Face?
How did Fan respond to Uncle Cricket? 14. Smoking Devil’s Wedding: ---What
was Fan’s “family problem” and why did it affect his possible, and desperately
hoped for, placement away from the village? 15. The Death of Uncle Cricket: ---Who
does Fan meet by chance after he was sent by Uncle Cricket to Three
Flags Reservoir? (Note: “chance”
or “fate” plays a vital role in Fan’s journey). ---How
does Moon Face figure in the way the next few years of Fan’s life turns
out? ---What
were Fan’s feelings after he received the news of his transfer to the
East Wind Aircraft Factory?
III.
Metal 16. A Mouse Wants to Fly to the Sky: ---Why
do you think that Fan entitled the third section of his book, “Metal?” ---What
is Fan’s ambitious plan to “fly to the sky?” 17. Li Ling: ---How
does Fan’s experience with Li Ling (indeed, Fan’s entire journey) reflect
Confucius’ saying that, “There would be no more books if there were
no coincidences?” ---How
does Fan feel after speaking with Li Ling at the Aircraft factory’s
library? Why does Li Ling feel
the need to hide what she is reading under
two different fake covers? ---In
what way is Li Ling Fan’s “spiritual teacher?” 18. “Another Jumped Last Night”: ---Early
on Fan has a strange feeling of apprehensiveness about the factory in
which he is placed—what are the three reasons or sources he notes that
may be the cause of all of the problems at the factory. ---How
does the Central Committee of the Communist Party in Bejing
respond to the problems at the factory? 19. The Year of Two Augusts: ---A
year of two Augusts, according to the Yellow Calendar, is a year full
of trouble. What were some of
the disasters—material or environmental, political, and personal—that
manifested themselves during this long year? ---Describe
Fan’s personal anxiety during this period.
Why is the “monkey” an apt symbolization of Fan’s feelings? 20. The Goal: Join the Party: ---Why
did Fan Shen decide to pursue a party membership?
What was his strategy? ---Who
was Fan’s “party monitor?” What
happens to him and how does this affect Fan’s plans? ---At
this time, on what basis were students chosen to attend college? 21. “Confession is Death”: ---Who
is “Fountain Pen,” and what is his significance to Fan’s journey? ---What
were the “public arrest rallies” and what purpose did they serve? ---Who
counseled Fan that “confession is suicide?”
What does this counsel mean? 22. The Lucky Eleven: ---What
is the Party’s “new reform” in education?
How did it impact Fan Shen? ---Who
are the “Lucky Eleven?” (Not individually, but as a group). ---How
does Fan respond to his good news? Why
does he respond in this way? ---How
do Comrade Thus and the Party put a damper on Fan’s good news? ---What
is the “typical Chinese philosophy” that has, according to Fan, held
people back for centuries? How
does this philosophy contrast with Fan’s personality and character?
IV.
Wood: 23. The Heavenly White Pagoda: ---Why
do you think Fan terms this section—the section of his memoir that chronicles
his experience in college—“Wood?” ---What
is Fan’s “Heavenly White Pagoda?” How
does the Pagoda make fan feel? ---Who
is Comrade Pi? What is his verbal threat against Fan? 24. “Two Uncles are Here to
See You.”: ---Why
do you think Fan has a knack for befriending “dangerous people?” ---Who
is Jacquelyn? |
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