Discussion Question #5

5. Which character, would you say, has the most miserable experience in the book?

Discussion Question #4

4. Following question #3, what kind of translation would be more effective in order to deliver the meaning? Word for word or general translation? Which one do you prefer?

Discussion Question #3

3.Because it is a translation from another language, some idioms and proverbs might have lost its connotation. Have you found any examples of proverbs that are confusing?

Discussion Question #2

2.How effective this book is to you, for understanding the chaotic period of China from Civil War to Cultural Revolution?

Discussion Question #1

1. Do you think, after all the experience of life Fugui has, is it still fortunate to live?

Situational Irony

Situational Irony is performed major causes of Fugui's fate throughout the story. He gambles with LongEr and loses all of his money, changing from a rich landlord to a poor peasant; he runs into the town to get a doctor for his mother, but is captured by Nationalist and drafted into the army; when he finally realizes the significance of staying together as a family, Youqing, Jiazhen, and Fengxia passes away. Although he might have the most miserable destiny in the book, he is the only one alive to experience these pains.

Other characters experience situational irony as well. LongEr, although gains all the wealth Fugui once has, he is executed for his wealth. Youqing, who is so passionate about donating blood to save the wife of the county magistrate, sacrifices his life and all of his blood. More ironically, the magistrate is an old friend of Fugui; Chunsheng is drafted into Nationalist Army with Fugui. Chunsheng is the magistrate, highly respected by the public; but when the Cultural Revolution starts, he is "tied up and beaten every day" (Yu 199). Worst of all, the magistrate hangs himself to avoid all the pain of living.

In addition to individual characters' story, the society is full of irony as well. The Red Guards are frightening to people instead of helping. When the Comrade Red Guard Leader comes into their village, she screams at the team leader and identifies him as the capitalist roader. Although everyone in the village knows him and admires him, the team leader is still taken away and beaten. The Red Guards are acting as mafias, as what I would think, instead of people just keeping order; their action is ruthless.

Another irony is the policy. During Cultural Revolution, the Communist Party demands all people to destroy tools in their houses, so everyone is equal. However, not long after, the team leader announces again: " From tomorrow on, the dining hall will be closed. Everybody better hurry up and go into town to buy pots. It'll be just like before: Every family will cook for themselves" (Yu 120). 

The Language

Yu Hua is famous for his detailed depiction of violence. This characteristic is also shown in this book, especially the section about Nationalist and Liberation Army.  "The guys carrying the stretchers would arch their backs and, running over to an empty space on the ground near us, yell, 'One, two, three.' When they got to three they'd turn the stretchers over as if they were dumping out garbage, then throw the wounded on the ground and leave them. The wounded were in so much pain they screamed out in agony-string after string of their screams and cries reached us"(Yu 71). Combined with actions and descriptions, the scene of injured soldiers becomes so vivid, that readers seemingly hear the sounds of their cries.

The diction is easy to understand, as well as the syntax. The diction between collector narrative and Fugui narrative are a little bit different; the collector would be viewed as more sophisticated. Whereas, Fugui usually drops Chinese idioms in his story, for instance, "poverty lowers the ambition of man"(Yu 47) , "slow bird who starts early"(Yu 224), and "a rotten piece of wood that could not be carved" (Yu 10). The constant idiom use in the book strengthens its cultural connection and make it easier for connection and understanding to the book's audience.