Revolution is not a Dinner Party

Revolution is Not a Dinner Party

No, it is certainly not. This book really has opened my eyes about something that I had never known before. I knew who Mao Zedong (Chairman Mao) was before reading this book and I knew that he was the leader of the Cultural Revolution, but I really had no idea what went on during and after the revolution. Asian history to me is really interesting, probably because we don’t really learn much about it in public school. I took an East Asian history class at Eastern that was very interesting, but the time span was just so immense that we couldn’t really focus on many details because we had to learn about so many different things. I wish we could have gone in depth more, but I found what I learned to be very interesting. It makes me wonder why we don’t learn more about Asian history in school. 

Ling was 3 years old when the revolution started, and was really just growing up as a young girl, learning who she was, who her family was, what she stood for, all while this revolution was going on around her. It seemed at first like the Revolution would never truly affect her. Her parents both had jobs, provided for her, did their best to protect her. Yes she saw what was going on around her, but I think as a young girl, she had an idea of the fantasy life she hoped to continue living, and unfortunately was not able to go on as she was used to. 

Its makes me sad to think about the relationship between her and her mother. I have a very good relationship with both of my parents. My dad was a lot like Ling’s. He always did my homework with me, took me on special Daddy-Daughter dates, bonded with me, loved me unconditionally. My mother, although very different from my dad, also loved me whole-heartedly. They both still do. My mom was always the one I talked to about my various adolescent problems, from boyfriends, to puberty, to which dress I was going to wear for prom. My dad was just always there to support me and tell me how proud he was of me. It saddens me to see the relationship between Ling and her mother because her mother, I am sure, loved her very much. She protected her and wanted her to grow up right. She wanted to raise her to be a good woman, respectful and independent. I wish Ling could have felt that, but instead she always felt disapproval from her mother. I think it was just hard for her mother to show love in the way that Ling needed it.

How hard the changes must have been for Ling. I cannot imagine my father being taken away from me, shunned by my peers, having my home invaded, having my big brother turn against us and join an army who was doing destructive things. I can imagine that Ling often felt helpless and at odds as to what she could do to help save her family and her self. Thats a lot of weight to carry and a very heavy burden for such a young girl. I don’t know if I would have been as strong as Ling, although I hope that I could stay out of much trouble and do my best to help my family.