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Mao's Last Dancer By Li Cunxin Pages this entry covers?

Journal Entry 1

Chairman Mao was the dictator of The People's Republic of China from the Marxist-Leninist revolution in 1949, to his death in the 70's. His policies were anti-western, and often left the peasants of the rural ares to starve, even though the "goal" of the revolution was to feed the poor and eliminate the classes. He controlled his evil empire from the Chinese seat of power in Bejing.

Hundreds of miles away, in Qingdao Province, there lived a small peasant boy named Cunxin Li (or Li Cunxin in the proper Chinese form). Li was an energetic little boy who enjoyed his elder's stories, and idolized the heroes of China's glorious proletariat revolution. Although Li's family was large, poor, and could barley afford food, he was happy because he knew that China was the most prosperous nation in the world, and he was much better off than people in other poorer countries, such as America.

Like millions of other Chinese peasants, Li was manipulated by the Communist Party's propaganda. During the fifties and sixties, Mao's "Great Leap Forward" killed off hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Chinese. Punishment by death was commonplace, for crimes ranging from being an anti-revolutionary member of the upper class, to stealing a handful of rice. Although it got the economy a starting point, it came at a very large price.

The opening pages of //Mao's Last Dancer// give the reader a brutally honest view of China in the 60's. Although the majority of the first chapter is spent illustrating the poverty of the people around him, Li does include some simple and charming stories of an innocent childhood, which will quickly capture a readers heart.

Questions:

// Why did you select this novel? // I have always considered my self quite scribe-like when it comes to 20th century history, especially the cold war. I've always been fascinated by the arms race between the USA and the Soviet Union. North Korea was also studied. But for some reason, my understanding of modern Chinese society was always vague. So I decided to give this book a shot. I'm certainly glad I did.

// What information did you need to know before reading the novel? // //The basic information about the Chinese Civil War, also know as the Chinese Revolution. It would also be wise to look up the leaders of early communist China, such as Chairman Mao, the Gang of Four, Deng Xiaopeng, and Zhou Enlai. //

//What has happened before the novel began?// //The Second World War in which Japan invaded eastern China, as well as The Chinese Revolution of 1949. These events were not only turning points for China, but Asia and the rest of the world. //

9/10

Journal Entry 2 Pages 81-120

At this point in the novel, Nine year old Li is about to start school. It is early 1970, and Chairman Mao is still in complete power if the People's Republic of China. Propaganda is everywhere. On the streets, in the newspapers, and even in the schools. On Li's first day of school, his first assignment is to learn a "patriotic" song:

//I love Beijing Tiananmen,// //The sun rises above Tiananmen.// //Our great leader Chairman Mao,// //Lead and guide us forward.//

This is only one example of the propaganda he is subjected to. When learning to write, the majority of his time is spent writing patriotic slogans about the country's leaders. Because he knows nothing else, Li believes every word of it.

Two years later, a group of party members come from Beijing to visit Li's school. The inform the children that the have come to recruit students for Madame Mao's Ballet Academy in Beijing. The children's posture and foot shapes are examined, and eventually, Li and one other student are selected. Little did Li know, his life would be forever different after he took up ballet.

Questions: What plot twists or unexpected events happen as the novel goes on? When Li is accepted into the academy, it is one of two unexpected turning points in the novel.

Comment on the style of the novel. Is it easy or hard to follow the events? The novel is written smoothly and takes place over the course of 20 or so years. It is well written, and everything is explained in good detail.

 Is the language in the novel difficult or easy? Give examples and explain. The author shows full mastery of the English language, even though it is his second language. There is sometimes a few Mandarin words and phrases thrown in, but they are usually explained in English for the reader.

10/10

Journal Entry 3 Pages 120-263

By now, Li is 11 years old, and about to travel to Madame Mao's Ballet Academy in Beijing. On the train ride over, Li and his peers are seated in the Communist Party member's car as guests of honor. He is shocked when he is served meat dishes with large amounts of oil in them, as his family has had to survive off of dried yams and the occasional beef dumpling. When the students arrive in Beijing, they are shown Communist-built landmarks, such as Beijing Station, and Tienanmen Square. Then, they arrive at the academy.

Over the next few years, the students learn "Chinese Ballet", which is mostly French ballet with communist propaganda written into the shows. After arriving, Li is subjected to daily practice which fells like torture for him. In one chapter he describes how he pulls his hamstrings on a weekly basis, and his feet crack and bleed from so much dancing.

The students are fed more propaganda, such as patriotic films. Li recalls that the only foreign film they are showed is one from North Korea. The type of ballet they usually preform is a style called "Peking Opera", which combines French and Russian ballet, singing, acting, and Chinese Propaganda. Most operas are stories of soldiers in Mao's Red Army, or communist peasants (one was titled "The Proletariat Farmer"). All of these frequently mention how great Chairman Mao and his Communist Utopia are.

In the last chapter of the section, Li and a couple other students are selected for an exchange trip to America, which leads into the next section of the book.

Questions:

To what age group is the novel aimed? Support your answer with evidence. It is most likely aimed at people 16 or older, due to some complex language and the fact that it requires some knowledge of Chinese history and the Cold War.

Is there a message or main theme emerging in the book? How is it shown? The overall message is be glad that we live in a free, prosperous country, because there are very poor and controlled countries that we could have been born in. This message is subtle at first, but becomes more obvious as the novel progresses.

Journal Entry 4 Pages 264-313 At the beginning of this section, Li travels to America for the first time. Upon arrival, he is shocked at how prosperous the country seems. At first he thinks it is all just a big show to cover up the supposed poverty and evil of the nation, but he eventually realizes how rich America actually is.

The next few chapters tell of his experiences in Houston, D.C and New York, such as not knowing how to refuse more food at a restaurant, and learning ballet from American and European dancers. He also mentions meeting many Americans, one of whom is future First-Lady Barbara Bush.

After going back to China, Li is happy to see his friends again. But what he does not tell them is that he has become somewhat disillusioned with China and Chairman Mao. After seeing the prosperity of America, he is desperate to return. It is a long and hard process, but after a while he is approved for a year-long trip.

During this second stay, Li learns fluent English, and develops an affair with an American girl. Torn his between two lives, Li must choose wether to defect to America, or go back to China, which is where the chapter ends.

Questions:

Is the novel believable? Yes for two reasons- it conveys a realistic picture of America and China in the cold war, and is also listed as non-fiction.

What is the setting of the novel? Is the setting important or could the novel be happening anywhere? Why? The setting of the novel is in Cold War-era China and America. The setting is very important, but I could easily imagine it in another western country, such as the United Kingdom, and another communist country, such as the Soviet Union.

What is the climax of the novel? The climax is when Li is deciding wether to defect to America or not.

Journal Entry 5 314-438

In the final section of the book, Li is due back in China in two weeks time. This time is mostly spent practicing ballet and thinking about the possibility of defection. Eventually, Li decides that he does not want to go back to China. He and his girlfriend make a plan to get married, which will grant him U.S. citizenship. Due to the fact that China recognizes international marriage law, the plan should work.

After his marriage, Li, his new wife, and some friends are invited to the Chinese consulate for a "discussion". Taken in by the trap, they are held by the Chinese. Because the United States considers the consulate Chinese territory, the government cannot help them.

After 2 grueling days of captivity, the Chinese finally realize that Li will not go back to China; and let him and his friends go. The rest of the book is mostly about his life after defection.

Questions: What message did you get from the novel? How was this message conveyed? The message was that we should be thankful we live in a free country, because in others, people are starved and opressed. It was conveyed by the comparisons of China and the US.

To what age group is the novel aimed? Support your answer with evidence. Young adults, because of somewhat complex language and interesting content.

What were the major things that helped to resolve the plot? How easily Li made friends in America was probably the most significant thing.

Focus Assignement Plot Summary

Li Cunxin's book //Mao's Last Dancer// is the haunting but enjoyable story of a child growing up in 1960's/70's China, at the height of the cold war. The story also portrays Li's evolution from a young Chinese proletariat, into an intelligent young man who questions the world around him.

The novel begins in the mid-60's Chairman Mao's "Great Leap Forward" is at its peak. Millions of Chinese citizens die from starvation, malnourishment, or are shot by the authorities for "anti-revolutionary views". Fortunately, Li's town in the province of Qingdao is spared from most of the violence.

In the opening chapters, Li tells stories of his childhood. From heartwarming stories of childhood games, to tear-filled accounts of extreme poverty, his stories are all completely genuine.

By the time Li is 9, and about to start school, which is mostly learning to sing and write patriotic songs. A few years later, he is chosen by visiting party members to be educated at a ballet academy in Beijing. A young, patriotic Li makes the journey excitedly.

When he arrives, Li is subjected to grueling physical exercises to improve his dancing. When he is not dancing, he is being educated math and other academic subjects, along with a large amount of "political education".

After 5 or so years of dancing, Li is chosen for a program which brings Chinese ballet students to dance in America. When he gets off the plane, he begins to question the authenticity of Chinese propaganda. After seeing the prosperity of America, he wonders if everything he was taught is a lie.

During his second visit to America, Li decides to defect. After the Chinese find out about this, they invite him to the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas for a "discussion". Foolishly, Li accepts.

He is trapped in the consulate for nearly 2 days. After vigorous interrogation, the Chinese authorities let Li go. He returns from the consulate as a brand-new American citizen.

The rest of the novel is stories of Li's later years, such as meeting his wife and going back to China to see his family and friends.

I greatly enjoyed this book because of its authenticity, exciting story line and descriptive language. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in 20th century history.