Family Structure in Revolutionary China
Family Structure in Revolutionary ChinaPolitical turmoil, loyalty to the party, reforms, and the escape from political scorn, tore the many Chinese families apart in the time of the Cultural Revolution; especially once the Great Leap Forward was enacted in 1957. As expresses in Liang Heng and Judith Shapiro's Son of the Revolution (1958-1981) the at home family life was not only difficult, but often didn't exist. The fact that ones actions could be accepted by society one day and could be criticized by it the next often lead to an untrusting nature that permeated the most sacred of societal relationships, including the home-front. The lack of structure in Liang's family was alluded to throughout the book, more specifically in the absence of family members; thus showing that family could make or break ones societal position.After being urged and basically forced to express productive criticisms about her job, Heng's mother was sent away to be re-educated when the political party suddenly changed to an anti-rightist movement. The disgracing of ones name not only hurt the individual but created restrictions on other members of the family which would often lead to constant tormenting. "So perhaps inevitably, over the years, I
"You must grow old together, be loyal to each other. Revolutionary China had an interesting impact on family life that ultimately created a lack of structure and influence on the part of the family. But now you've come to see me and I see how tall and strong you are, all grown up, and you tell me now you're going away to the countryside to live. "Furthermore, she was doing everything possible to join the Communist Youth League, the only route to glory, a good job, and public respect, and she was sensitive about any public contact with her Rightist family" (37). Once I even overheard Liang Wei-ping ask herfor sanitary paper for her monthly and she was told to use newspaper instead" (197). Finally, after a few years went by Heng's father gave in to societal pressures and remarried to a lady named Zhu Zhi-dao. Liang Fang expressed the disgust she felt towards her father when she was at home for a short visit from the Red Guard. Then at a later meeting with her youngest son she expressed her feelings towards the situation, "I've missed you so much, but I never blamed you for staying away from me. Not only did it lead to tormenting, but other members of the family were forced to do what they felt would be best for the family, "Don't come back until you've reformed yourself. came to resent my mother for making my life so miserable. Don't make the mistake that I did" (286). The children in this house need a Revolutionary mother, not a Righteous mother" (10). Not only were father daughter relationships affected, but when Liang Heng tried to develop a closer relationship with his oldest sister he came to the realization that her mind was focused on the party, and not on her family. Heng was kept away from the people who should have been the most influential in his life, and he didn't at all enjoyit.
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