Mulberry as a Cultural Archetype for the Chinese People During the Era of the Cultural Revolution Anonymous 12th Grade

Mulberry and Peach is a groundbreaking work of literature that details revolutionary moments in Chinese history. The author of this novel, Hualing Nieh, has crafted an extraordinary account of the transitional phase that China experienced during the 20th century. Nieh tells this story in four parts, each of which corresponds to a crucial time period of modern China. These moments are relayed to the reader through the firsthand accounts of Mulberry, the protagonist of the novel, who experiences a turbulent era of uncertainty. Throughout Mulberry’s diaries, Nieh uses symbolism and allegories to tell the story of a nation and its people. Mulberry plays a vital role in this process; beyond simply serving as a storytelling vehicle, Mulberry represents the Chinese people and their culture. In this way, Mulberry functions as a cultural archetype for the Chinese people during the era of the Cultural Revolution between 1966 and 1976, evident through her reactions to her past, her experiences with cultural assimilation, and the symbolic references in various aspects of her character.

On September 2nd, 1966, Mulberry receives her passport to America (Nieh 161). In the same year, the Cultural Revolution began in China. This connection...