Explain how Ji-Cai shows the effects of the Cultural Revolution on the landlord’s wife, the tall woman, and the short man in “The Tall Woman and Her Short Husband.” Give an example for each.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Certainly! Here’s a detailed explanation of how Ji-Cai’s story “The Tall Woman and Her Short Husband” illustrates the effects of the Cultural Revolution on the characters of the landlord’s wife, the tall woman, and the short man, with examples for each.
Correct Answer:
Ji-Cai portrays the Cultural Revolution’s impact through the experiences of the landlord’s wife, the tall woman, and the short man, each symbolizing different social and political consequences of that turbulent time.
- The landlord’s wife suffers from persecution and humiliation because of her class status. As a member of the landlord class, she is targeted by the revolutionary forces, symbolizing how the old elites were oppressed. For example, she is publicly humiliated and forced to perform physical labor, illustrating the Cultural Revolution’s attack on traditional hierarchies and elites.
- The tall woman represents a figure caught between old and new social realities. Despite being married to the short man (a symbol of the new proletariat), her physical stature and personality highlight her resistance to full ideological conformity. She endures criticism and social pressure for her perceived “bourgeois” behavior. For instance, she is ridiculed for her height and demeanor, showing how personal traits were politicized and scrutinized during the Cultural Revolution.
- The short man, who is her husband, embodies the working-class ideal promoted during the Cultural Revolution. He is favored for his proletarian background and is seen as a symbol of the new social order. His short stature contrasts with his moral and ideological “height.” For example, he actively participates in revolutionary activities and supports the movement, which elevates his social status despite his physical shortness.
Explanation (Approx. 300 words):
Ji-Cai’s story “The Tall Woman and Her Short Husband” uses these three characters to reflect the profound social upheavals and personal struggles during China’s Cultural Revolution (1966–1976). This period was marked by intense class conflict, ideological zeal, and the destruction of traditional social structures.
The landlord’s wife is emblematic of the old elite who were harshly persecuted. Because landlords were viewed as enemies of the proletariat, they were often publicly shamed, physically abused, and subjected to forced labor. Ji-Cai shows her suffering as a direct consequence of the revolutionary government’s campaign against “class enemies.” This highlights how the Cultural Revolution dismantled the old social order by violently repressing former landlords and their families.
The tall woman, married to a proletarian husband, embodies the tension between old social traits and the new ideological demands. Her height and personality make her stand out, and in a society that emphasized conformity and egalitarianism, these differences become sources of ridicule and suspicion. Through her, Ji-Cai shows how the Cultural Revolution invaded private lives, politicizing even physical characteristics and personal relationships. She faces social ostracism because she does not fully fit the revolutionary ideal, illustrating how the movement pressured individuals to suppress their individuality to conform.
The short man symbolizes the ideal revolutionary figure: proletarian, loyal, and politically engaged. His short stature contrasts ironically with his elevated moral and social standing. Ji-Cai uses him to demonstrate how the Cultural Revolution promoted class identity over personal attributes. Despite his physical “shortness,” he gains authority and respect due to his alignment with the revolutionary cause, underscoring the era’s radical redefinition of power and status.
Together, these characters personify the Cultural Revolution’s complex effects on Chinese society: class persecution, social conformity, and ideological transformation that reshaped personal and social identities.