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Character Role Analysis

Chang Hong

Ji-li's friend Chang Hong goes through the Revolution with Ji-li in the book. The only difference is that the two girls have very different reactions to it. While Ji-li is torn between her family and the Revolution, Chang Hong feels no such torment—she's all for the Red Guards, all the time. In fact, she cares more about her work for the Revolution than she does about her sick brother or mom who needs a lot of help taking care of him. Chang Hong is contrasted with Ji-li in the book to show how other people her age dealt with growing up during the Cultural Revolution.