How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"If you had to do it, you'd learn." I meant what I said. If Lin-lin's family had to live on just sixty yuan a month, and half of their clothes had been confiscated, she would learn to sew too. (12.12)
Oh, snap. Ji-li boldly tells her friend that sewing isn't a choice for her—she doesn't have enough clothes since the Red Guards took them away, so she has no other option. Ji-li isn't trying to be harsh or cruel; she's just pointing out that her social status has determined her actions.
Quote #8
"We cannot choose our families or our class sums. But we can choose our own futures." He spoke very slowly and clearly. "No, you are not a leader, but you are still an 'educable child.' You can overcome your family background." (12.41)
Wise words. Of course, these are meant to encourage Ji-li to separate from her family and join the party. Actually, though, they make her realize just how much hog-wash all this talk of class status really is. If you can't choose it, why should it matter? If it's pre-determined, why bother getting upset about it?
Quote #9
"The key is your class stance. The daughter of our former Party Secretary resolved to make a clean break with her mother. When she went onstage to condemn her mother, she actually slapped her face. […] The point is that as long as you have the correct class stance, it will be easy to testify." (14.34)
Translation? Testify against your dad, or we'll make life very difficult for you. What did her dad do, you ask? He was born to a wealthy landlord. Yep, that's it. Essentially, the Red Guards want to ship Ji-li's dad off to jail because he's of a better social class than they want him to be.