RED SCARF GIRL: MEMOIR OF THE CULTURAL
REVOLUTION
By: Ji-li Jiang
Book Review
Presented by:
Gutierrez, Raniel John V.
ABM 12- Wenceslao
To:
Mrs. Jho Penullar-Villanueva
In partial fulfillment on the requirements in
Reading and Writing Skills
2022-2023
I. Preliminaries
A. Title
- Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural
Revolution
B. Author of the novel
- Ji-li Jiang
C. Type of Book
- Memoir
D. Publisher
- HarperCollins
E. Year of Publication
- September 6, 1997
F. Number of pages
- 320
G. Theme
- conformity, obedience, prejudice, and justice.
II. INTRODUCTION
“Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution”
written by Ji-li Jiang. The book is a personal account of
the author’s experiences during China’s Cultural
Revolution, a political movement that lasted from 1966
to 1976. The book tells the story of how the author, as
a teenager, and her family were affected by the
political upheaval of the time, and how she navigated
the challenges and dangers that arose as a result of
the revolution. The book also provides an insight into
the political and social conditions in China during the
Cultural Revolution, and how it affected the lives of
ordinary people. The title of the book refers to the red
scarves worn by young members of the Communist
Youth League, which the author was a member of at
the time.
Why did you choose this book?
This book tells us that in the face of hardships and
societal pressure never forget what’s important. I also
think that more people should read this as it is an eye
opener and it also holds timely significance in the
today’s world.
III. AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHY
Ji-li Jiang was born in Shanghai, China, in 1954. She
graduated from Shanghai Teachers’ College and
Shanghai University and was a science teacher before
she came to the United States in 1984. After her
graduation from the University of Hawaii, Ms. Jiang
worked as an operations analyst for a hotel chain in
Hawaii,then as budget director for a health-care
company in Chicago. In 1992 she started her own
company, East West Exchange, to promote cultural
exchange between Western countries and China.
IV. SYNOPSIS
“Red Scarf Girl” is a memoir that tells the story of Ji-li
Jiang, a young girl living in China during the cultural
revolution. The story starts with Ji-li living a privileged
life but when the cultural revolution starts, her family
becomes a target and they lose everything. Ji-li is
forced to leave school, work in a factory, and suffers
physical abuse and criticism from classmates and
teachers. Her father is arrested and sent to prison.
Despite the adversity, Ji-li never loses her spirit and
her desire to keep her family together. She learns the
true meaning of friendship and loyalty, and the story
concludes with Ji-li and her family being reunited after
the cultural revolution ends, and Ji-li reflecting on the
lessons she learned.
V. ANALYSIS
A. Plot, Setting, Genre, Style
Red Scarf Girl: Memoir of the Cultural Revolution is a
Memoir written by Ji-li Jiang. The Author recounts her
experiences growing up during the Cultural Revolution
in China. The book was published in 1997 and has
since been widely read and praised for its vivid and
personal account of the period. The book begins with
Ji-li’s childhood, where she describes her family’s
comfortable middle-class life in Shanghai. However, as
the Cultural Revolution begins, Ji-li’s father is arrested
and her family is humiliated and forced to live in
poverty. Ji-li’s own status as a “red scarf girl” (a
member of the Young Pioneers, a communist youth
organization) and her family’s capitalist background
put her in a difficult position, as she struggles to
reconcile her loyalty to the communist ideology with
the reality of the revolution’s brutal tactics. Throughout
the book, Ji-li Jiang follows a very Descriptive style
and ways to tell the readers of Various ways in which
the Cultural Revolution affected her life and the lives of
those around her, including the destruction of historical
and cultural artifacts, the persecution of intellectuals
and capitalist-roaders, and the mass mobilization of
young people. She also details the impact of the
revolution on her family, as they are forced to endure
public humiliation and physical abuse.
Overall, “Red Scarf Girl” is a powerful and moving memoir
that provides a firsthand account of the Cultural
Revolution and its impact on individuals and families. It is
a valuable resource for understanding this tumultuous
period in Chinese history and the human cost of
ideological extremism.
The memoir's style is descriptive, the genre is
autobiography and biography
B. Characterize the protagonist/s and the antagonist of the
story.
Ji-li Jiang is the protagonist and narrator of the memoir
“Red Scarf Girl.” She is a Twelve year old girl living in
China. Ji-li is a strong and determined individual who
maintains her sense of self and her values despite the
pressure and persecution she faces from the government.
She is also a compassionate and caring person, as seen
in her relationships with her family and friends. Generally,
Ji-li is a complex and relatable character who serves as
an important witness to the events of the Cultural
Revolution.
As for the Antagonist of the story I would say that it is the
Chinese government, specifically the Communist Party,
during the Cultural Revolution. The government's policies
and actions create a difficult and dangerous environment
for the protagonist and her family. Additionally, the
characters of the "Red Guards" - a group of radical young
people who were encouraged to publicly criticize and
punish those deemed anti- Revolutionary.
C. Who among the characters impressed you most?
Why?
It is Wei An yi. She’s the best friend of Ji-li Jiang and
despite their almost Identical circumstances she never
forgets her friend.
D. What part/ chapter/ Episode of the novel/ do you like
best and why?
Chapter 10 : Junior High School at Last
When Ji-li Jiang begins junior high school in September
after waiting for more than a year. She is happy to find out
that no one from her former school is in her class, so she
can start fresh without anyone knowing her class status.
This shows that She’s very hopeful that she could start
anew despite all that she been through she still want to
fight for her family and follow the communist party.
E. Lift / get at least (5) lines/ dialogues from the novel that
are remarkable to you and why.
1.”I learned to look at the world through different eyes.
And I realized that people aren’t always what they seem.”
– Ji-Li Jiang, As she realized what people truly are.
2. “We were like soldiers without weapons, fighting a war
we couldn’t win.” – Ji-Li Jiang
She sees the meaningless of this battle of Cultural
Revolution and how it just creates suffering and not
prosperity.
3.”It was as if the world were made up of two kinds of
people: those who had to suffer and those who made
others suffer.” – Ji-Li Jiang
It displays the dispair she felt throughout the story.
4.”I had always thought of myself as a strong person,
but now I realized that strength had limits.” – Ji-Li Jiang
That no matter how strong you are. You are still human
with limitations. And that applies to everybody.
5.”I would have to be careful to hide my thoughts,
because they could get me killed.” – Ji-Li Jiang
It reflects the world today, Some people have the
knowledge and information they’re just afraid of who
might hear them.
F. What were the issues the book raises?
The issues that the red scarf girl raises is don’t blindly
follow anything. Always be conscious of what you
follow. Be ready when abundance so you’re tough
when adversity comes.
G. What were your feelings toward the concluding
chapter of the novel?
I felt happy and hopeful as everything turns out well for
her she gets to find her new home and I can see in her
Biography that she achieved what she dreamed of.
H. If you were the author, how would have ended the
novel? Suggest another ending.
As it was a memoir I cannot alter or think of a better
way to end the novel. All I can so is wish her for
wellness and continued success of her books and
career.
VI. CONCLUSION/ RECOMMENDATION/s
A.What insights/ values/ lessons/ have you gained
from reading/watching the novel?
I have two that I picked up from reading this memoir
that is; Always stand for your values they decide what’s
good and what’s bad and never break them.
And, We have been blessed to have such life, cherish
it for we don’t know what will happen next. But always
prepare for what’s next.
B.Would you recommend this novel to a friend? Why?
Yes, For it is an eye opener to its readers, It shows
importance of family and loyalty. But also, tackling the
importance of a right leader.