How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
I felt tears welling out of my eyes. "Anyone who sees Chairman Mao is the happiest person in the world," the saying went. (5.33)
When Ji-li learns about someone meeting Chairman Mao, she's instantly green with envy. That's her wish. This tells us a lot about her attitude toward politics: Even though she's not comfortable with bad-mouthing a teacher, and she doesn't really get all of the new rules, she still follows Mao and everything the guy preaches.
Quote #8
Right at the entrance to our alley, where you could not help noticing it, stood the propaganda wall. It was tall and wide, covering the whole end of one building and looming over the street. Every time a new campaign started, a picture would be painted on it to promote the campaign's message. (7.1)
The propaganda wall is the place to put up new info about Mao's plan for the country. It's also a place where people are publically humiliated with da-zi-baos. Both of those reveal that it's used more to control people than to provide new political information. It's public and everyone can see it, making it the perfect place to keep people in check.
Quote #9
No matter what I did and where I went, the Cultural Revolution followed me. (9.5)
Sounds creepy, right? Ji-li's description kind of sounds like she's being stalked, and in some ways, she is. The Cultural Revolution isn't just about political parties or voting in an election; it's a way of life. It's like a ghost following her around, everywhere she goes.