How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Ji-li, the fact is that our family will not be able to pass these investigations," he said slowly. "And you will not be allowed to be a member of a Liberation Army performing troupe." (1.32)
Huh? Ji-li isn't sure what her dad is talking about. They've never had any trouble before, so why would that start now? When her dad tells her not to try out, we catch some foreshadowing of what's about to happen. We know that social class will be really important in the book; we're just not sure how yet.
Quote #2
"Tight pants and pointed shoes are what the Western bourgeoisie admire. For us proletarians they are neither good-looking nor comfortable. What's more, they are detrimental to the revolution, so we must oppose them resolutely." (2.49)
As she watches the student inspector reprimand someone for wearing the wrong pants, Ji-li rushes home—she doesn't want to get publically humiliated for accidentally wearing the wrong thing. Here's the cherry on top of a not-so-delicious sundae: The guy bought the clothes at the government store. He's getting punished for shopping exactly where he's supposed to because people are just acting all revolution-happy at the moment. Gulp.
Quote #3
"Right! Those who don't have good class backgrounds shouldn't be elected," somebody else agreed. My heart fell. Class status. There was that phrase again. (4.18)
Check out the way Ji-li describes class status. The fact that she says "that phrase" shows us how much weight it carries for her. She dreads sharing her class status with everyone because she knows it will land her in the doghouse. It's a huge burden for her to carry, even at school.