The movie is a story of survival and being of a Nation moving forward in direction of higher awareness and freedom. A political ideal normally referred to as Communism is central to the movies meaning. Cultural Revolution is shown as the transformation of backwardness to modernity through progressive methods. One such revolution takes place in the act of brother Gu and one in a little girl that her dream of living a free life with meaningful choice is refused. On an existential level, Ciuqiao revolts by questioning whether Fate need be Bitter or if one needs to dare to challenge prescribed norms and values. Indeed, Ciuqiaos revolting is against fateso is called, and in a twisted irony, dares to risk death to escape certain doom.
Ciuqiao belongs to a poor family, and the film makes that point explicit and continuously. Her place does not have plumbing. She must carry the water 3 miles from the river to her home. And when in home, she does not enjoy the luxuries that s ome children had even by the 1930s standard of living. Her younger brother is also active in the chores aimed at the familys survival. Her father is a poor farmer and his poverty affects the fate of his children. This point raises an ethical question: Are children to suffer the fate imposed on them by their parents? The movie does not present any other attractive and viable alternatives for Ciuqiao except that if she escapes the dark fate of marrying young and of being widowed young if brother Gu returns with good news from the communists that salvation is at hand. She chooses a fate of her own albeit that it ends with her death. Her cause is worthy. On a personal level, she actively pursues the making of her own destiny and, on a grand scale she desires to join the communists who save the poor folks. Her individual goals are thus in tune with socially progressive and beneficial ideals and so she cant be deemed self-centered. Indeed, as if making the point, when saying fare well to her brother, her father and his welfare are on Ciuqiaos mind. By remaining with her tribe and living the sentenced fate, she would not have served the good of her community after all. At the end we see yet another ritual geared at observing lifea prayer for water. Nature, seen as a grand force to be worshipped instead of mastered was ruling her community, including her father. By remaining, she would not have been able to end the drought that the community suffered. She would continue to carry water from the river to her new dwelling, and serve the desires of another man. Liberation from the shackles of tradition and the hopes of improving the lot of all men was indeed a worthy choice and cause.
If Ciuqiao can be seen as the representative of a new generation that seeks an end to the follies of the past, then Brother Gu ought to be seen as the catalyst for change. Brother Gu represents the communist party and its ideals. He does not condemn the folks for their ways, but rather tries to understand their lot and do so by listening to their songs that speak of their miseries. Life is so hard for seasonal workers is a song brother Gu and we hear at the very beginning of the story. The songs are meant to motivate and remind the Eight Army of the reasons for their struggle. Brother Gu desires change too--a change for the better in the living condition of the peasants. He eats, works, and lives with peasants. He is keen to hear their story and to tell them about another world, where the conditions are different. He can readily see the reasons why some girls are treated almost as chattel property, and yet, has also witnessed a life wherein the girls are not sentenced to a life of menial labor in the service of a husband or tradition for the matter.The film is in my opinion a portrayal of the inevitable triumph of hope over hopelessness in a historical context. Both Cintue and Gu are the personification of this hope in progressive directio nality of history. Ciuqiaos choice represents the innate urge and need that exists for change in individual life as well as in society. History thus indicates an evolution, a change, a progress toward freedom. Gu is the representative of a camp that not only confirms the need for progress, but also represents the very idea toward which history advances. Communism is seen as the positive force that moves a society toward enlightenment, realization, equality, and liberty. To those who will not accept a change in tradition, the idea is a warning. To those looking for a better future and the ability to constructively build on past while pursuing morally excellent goals, the idea of Communism is a hopeful message.
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Author:: Sharon White
Keywords:: Communism, Nation, Yellow
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