What is the message of Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress?
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie is a literarily rich novel that explores the themes of love, coming of age, reading, education, censorship and beauty through the story of three teenagers, two boys and one girl, affected by China’s Cultural Revolution.
What do Luo and the Little Seamstress have in common?
Luo says he bets he and the Little Seamstress have something in common. She agrees that, if he proves that, she’ll lengthen his trousers for free. He says they both have the second toe longer than the others. … On the way back the narrator asks Luo if he likes the Little Seamstress.
What does Luo say he has taught the Little Seamstress?
Luo says that he taught the Little Seamstress how to swim properly, not like a peasant. She taught herself, however, how to dive. … In his own words, Luo continues to express disdain for the peasants, their way of life, and even the young woman he claims to love.
Why did Luo punch the narrator?
These chapters begin the theme of friendship. The narrator describes Luo as “the best friend I ever had.” Although Luo punched the narrator, it was because he was upset that the narrator saw his father be humiliated, rather than because of something the narrator did.
Can the Little Seamstress read?
The Little Seamstress, the daughter of a famous local tailor, is a rare beauty with no formal education who cannot read well, so Luo and the narrator read to her.
How is Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress a coming of age story?
At its most basic level, Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress tells the coming of age stories of Luo, the Little Seamstress, and the narrator. … As a violinist, the narrator knows that if he becomes accomplished enough, he could possibly have a future playing communist music.
Why did Dai Sijie write Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress?
Brief Biography of Dai Sijie
Dai chose to participate, however, and he cites the allure of rigorous training as his reasoning. His experience being sent to live among peasants during the Cultural Revolution was the inspiration for Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, which is semi-autobiographical.
Why did Luo want to read the book to the Little Seamstress?
By reading Balzac to her, Luo intends to make the Little Seamstress cultured enough to be worthy of his affections, but his education has an unintended effect: she gains the confidence and vision to leave the mountain for good by herself.
Why does four eyes say he remains friends with the narrator and Luo?
Four-Eyes is generally suspicious of other people and he regularly behaves in ways that are purely self-serving. Luo and the narrator hear him admit that he only remains friends with Luo so he can someday call on the dentist, Luo’s father, for dental work.
Does the narrator like the Little Seamstress?
The unnamed narrator of the novel is a thoughtful, intellectual 17-year-old who is sent to the countryside for re-education during China’s Cultural Revolution. He lives there with his best friend Luo. He falls in love with the Little Seamstress but never acts on it, and is transformed by the power of literature.
What does the narrator learn from Jean Christophe?
The narrator is particularly inspired by the novel Jean-Christophe, which helps him to develop his own personal philosophy that champions individuals who stand up to take individual action against the world.