Part 1-chapter 4

1. Part 1-chapter 4 Ben, Betty, Christine, Emanuel,

2. Summary As a part of their re-education program, Luo and Ma are made to work in ‘the little coal mine’ , where conditions are bad. They want to get out of it, however they know their chances are extremely small. They have to carry heavy loads of coal, and Luo says that he has a feeling he’s going to in there. They are sick with fright, and every day, there are worried that they wouldn’t be able to get out there alive. Luo had malaria, at the end of the 6th week. He is so sick and weak, that he cannot even support his own weight. To cure it, the men there though whipping him would drive the sickness out of him. Ma found a letter addressed to Luo, from the little Chinese seamstress, her village headman agreed to send 2 farm workers to their village to help them work, so that they can go and tell films to the villagers. Also, we find out that she is taught to read and write by her father. She wanted to give the letter to him herself, but she was told that the men there go around naked, and that girls were forbidden to enter.

3. Luo • In chapter 4, Luo felt hopeless as he says to the narrator : ‘I don’t know why, but from the moment we got here I’ve had this idea stuck in my head: that I’m going die in this mine.’ (page 28) • This shows that Luo thinks he’ll never escape from this mine, because the chance of returning back to the city is ‘three in a thousand’. (page 27) • ‘One day – it was during our third week there – I heard someone sobbing in the tunnel, but saw no light at all.’ (Page 29) • Luo feels ashamed for crying, therefore he hides in the tunnel with no light, where nobody can hear him, and sob there.

4. Little Chinese Seamstress • In chapter 4, the Chinese Seamtress wrote Luo a letter, telling him that they will come to their village to tell a film. • ‘Unlike you, I did not attend middle school.’ (page 31) • This quote implies that the Chinese Seamstress isn’t ashamed to tell people she is un-educated. • ‘I was taught to read and write by my father.’ (Page 32) • She is proud and not ashamed to say and tell that her father taught her the english she knows now.

5. ‘I wanted to go up to the mine to bring you the news myself but was told that the men all go about naked there, and that the place is forbidden for girls.’ (Page 32) • She wanted to bring the letter herself, which suggests she is not shy and afraid to lead on the relationship. • ‘Thinking of the coal mine, I admired your courage….at least you wont be at risk during that time.’ • She cares about Luo and admires his courage, which proves she has feelings for him, if not she likes him a lot at the very least.

6. The narrator(Ma) • The narrator's real name was never mentioned in the novel however he’s been known as that in the movie, his confidence at the start of the book was quite low but builds up gradually as the book progresses. He also loves the little Chinese seamstress he liked her from right at the start they met however Luo also loves her. Jealousy start’s to build up in Ma’s heart he doesn’t show it, however.

7. Ma’s background Parents are famous Chinese doctors Parents had been named as ‘ enemies of the people’ Plays violin Has been re-educated by the orders of Mao Friends with four eyes but has punched him later on in the novel. Ruining their relationship.