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 does the violin symbolize in Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress?
The Violin The narrator’s violin is a symbol of the power of storytelling and also of the way out of reeducation. Later, when Luo meets the tailor, the man has heard of him because of his violin and shouts, “Wy-o-lin!” He knows the music is beautiful and valued.
When the narrator sees the books in four eyes suitcase he remarks brushing them with the tips of my fingers made me feel as if my pale hands were in touch with human lives P 99?
When the narrator sees the books in Four Eyes’ suitcase, he remarks, “Brushing them with the tips of my fingers made me feel as if my pale hands were in touch with human lives” [p. 99]. And when Luo later burns the novels, it is the characters, rather than the books, that seem to go up in flames.
What genre is Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress?
Historical Fiction
historical novelAutobiographical novelPolitical fictionFictional Autobiography
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress/Genres
Who wrote Balzac and the Chinese Seamstress?
Dai Sijie
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress/Authors
The French-language film Balzac et La Petite Tailleuse Chinoise is based on an autobiographical novel by Dai Sijie. The book was published all over the world, though not in the author’s native China. Now he’s adapted it as a screenplay, and directed the movie, too.
Why does Luo hit the narrator after the public humiliation of Luo’s father?
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.
What is the setting of Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress?
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress is set during the time known as the Cultural Revolution in China. In order to do this, “hundreds of thousands of Chinese intellectuals [were sent] to peasant villages for re-education”, and within the years of “1968-1975, some twelve million youths were ‘rusticated’.”
Why did the Little Chinese Seamstress leave?
The boys convince Four-Eyes to let them borrow the book Ursule Mirouët by Honoré de Balzac. After staying up all night reading the book, Luo gives the book to the narrator and leaves the village in order to tell the story to the Little Seamstress.
Why did Luo punch the narrator?
Why does Luo punch the narrator?
They went to middle school together and both had smart parents, also making them believe re-education is permanent. Why does Luo punch the narrator? Luo is angry and upset about his dad and the narrator shows affection toward his father, making Luo punch him.
Why does Luo punch the narrator at the end of chapter?
What fear does Luo face at the Little Seamstress?
terrified of heights
The narrator explains that Luo is terrified of heights and he relates a childhood experience in which Luo was too scared to climb a water tower. The fact that Luo is willing to face his fears to see the Little Seamstress shows how much he cares, both about her and his project of civilizing her.
How to study Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress?
Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Dai Sijie’s Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world’s best literature guides. A concise biography of Dai Sijie plus historical and literary context for Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress.
Who is the narrator in Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress?
One snowy day in spring, Luo and the narrator go to see Four-Eyes, who has recently lost his glasses but is still attempting to work. Luo offers to help Four-Eyes finish his work in exchange for a book. Four-Eyes refuses, but is unable to complete his task. Luo and the narrator help him, and he gives them Ursule Mirouët by Balzac.
Who are the parents of the Little Chinese Seamstress?
Explanations of Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress ‘s symbols, and tracking of where they appear. An interactive data visualization of Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress ‘s plot and themes. Dai Sijie’s parents were medical professionals in Sichuan Province.
Where does Dai from the Little Chinese Seamstress live?
Dai lives in Paris and writes primarily in French, though he does possess a Chinese passport and can travel to and from China freely. Get the entire Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress LitChart as a printable PDF.