Red Scarf Symbolthe
Chairman Mao governs what everyone wears after the Cultural Revolution and part of their "uniform" is a red scarf. This is a symbolic garment, the its red color symbolizing the blood of the martyrs of the revolutionary army who fought valiantly against the Japanese. It is also therefore a symbol of devotion to those who fell in battle.
Red Flag of China
The red color of the Chinese flag is symbolic, representing the blood spilled and the sacrifice given by the revolutionaries who were killed during the Cultural Revolution. The color is used for the flag to remind citizens of the sacrifice required in order to show loyalty to Mao.
Red Guard Symbol
The Red Guard are a military-style police force, somewhat similar to Hitler's Gestapo in Germany. They strike fear into people, they have the right to act how they like, and they have an extreme amount of power which they definitely abuse. They are a symbol of Chairman Mao's power, and the fact that he is so omnipotent that he will find out everything that you are doing, saying and listening to. They are the ultimate symbol of the Revolution.
Purging of The Four Olds Symbol
Anything that is traditional is considered an "old" by Mao, and he wants to rid China of all of these things. This purging of everything that has gone before has several symbolic meaings; firstly, it symbolizes change, and newness, which is seen as a positive, and also enables Mao to be seen as the champion of youth and the future. However, it is also symbolic of Mao's awareness that knowledge of anything other than his regime is a threat to his very existence; if people talk about, remember, tell the young about how things used to be, then the brainwashing of his people will not work, and therefore the purging of everything old is a necessary tool of oppression.
Hopes and Dreams Motif
The motif of hopes and dreams is present throughout the novel. We learn that Ji-li dreams of being a performer, probably an actress, but possibly a dancer. We also learn that these dreams seem to have been passed down by her parents. The also have many dreams that we come to learn about as the book progresses. The book also deals with dreams in the context of another thing that is lost as a result of the Cultural Revolution; Ji-li has never looked to outside sources to make her dreams come true and has always believed that if they do not come to fruition then it is her doing. Things change when she realizes she cannot fulfill her dream of becoming a dancer because her family is seen as anti-Mao, and also because the new regime are telling people what their dreams are, rather than letting them evolve on their own.
