Character Analysis: Red Scarf Girl

What motivates art?

Out of times of societal conflict, art arises like a phoenix from the ashes left in the wake of injustice. A piece of literary art entitled Red Scarf Girl, is a memoir of author Ji-Li Jiang’s life during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. The novel details her youth during the rise of communist China and is directly inspired by events that transpired in Jiang’s life. As evidenced by Jiang’s, Meeropol’s, and my art, one can see that art is often motivated by the creator’s desire to shed light on wrongdoings gone unnoticed by the masses.
Jiang’s motivation to inform people about the realities of China’s cultural revolution is demonstrated in the things she said and in the book, Red Scarf Girl. In the novel she says that, “a

young girl [once] approached [her], saying that she had no idea that the Cultural Revolution happened; this is why [she shares] this difficult experience with the readers” (Jiang 5). From this quote, one can note that Jiang was dumbfounded by the little girl’s ignorance. That experience made her realize that not only are Americans not informed about some global issues, but that there is an overall lack of connection between the United States and, in this case, China. Due to this, Jiang decided that she needed to actively help bridge the gap between the two countries that make up her identity, the United States and China.

Her sentiment is expressed in the novel when she makes known that, “if [she] can help Americans learn about China, and the Chinese to learn about America, [she] will feel very rewarded, [and]...[she hopes] this book will be a part of that mission”

(Jiang 271-272). At this point, the reader of the book discovers Jiang’s reason for creating her art, because she clearly states it. However, it does not end there. Jiang not only wants to inform readers, but she also hopes that, “[her] story can give readers the courage to make the right decisions” (HRW 5). Now, one can see that Jiang is aiming to inform readers about injustices and also to incite something in her readers that ensures that they will not be responsible for heinous injustices similar to the ones that she is fortunate to have lived through.
The subject matter of the song “Strange Fruit”, when also taking into account the zeitgeist of the time it was written, exhibits Meeropol’s aim to enlighten the public about the horrors of the South. The song “Strange Fruit” has been described as a, “haunting protest against the inhumanity of injustice” by Elizabeth Blair, author of the article The Strange Story Of The Man Behind ‘Strange Fruit’ (Blair 1).This description accurately illustrates the song for what it is: a socially conscious objection that was so raw that listeners had no choice but to accept the injustices of lynchings existed. An author noted that Meeropol, “‘was very disturbed at the continuation of racism in America, and seeing a photograph of lynching sort of put him over the edge’” (Blair 4). This experience can be considered a turning point in Meeropol’s life, because had he not seen that photograph, he may have never desired to share his opinions on racial injustice with the populace. Meeropol once said that he, “‘wrote ‘Strange Fruit’, because [he hated] lynching, and [he hated] injustice, and [he hated] the people who perpetuate it’” (Guardian 3). From this quote, one can deduce that Meeropol, too, created his art, so people could realize the harsh actuality of racism in America. One can infer that he hoped that listeners would do everything in their power to see the end of racial injustice.
My use of color symbolism, biblical allusion, and symbolism in the painting Tree of Knowledge convey my desire to educate people about the wrongdoings of the Chinese Cultural Revolution.

In the painting, one can see a tree with an apple hanging from it. The tree alludes to the biblical Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and represents, “knowledge and mystery” (Monday 3). Knowing this, the viewer can come to the conclusion that the apple hanging from the tree is a physical embodiment of knowledge. Also, the painting contains the image of, “the sun risen in the east, [which] became symbolic of the [Chinese Cultural] Revolution itself” (MS 1). This symbolism allows the viewer to see that this picture takes place while China was illuminated by Mao Zedong’s reign. Lastly, the background is black because the color black, “is typically associated with the unknown or the negative” (Bourn 3). All of these elements are combined in the painting to illustrate the overarching idea of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, which was knowledge being withheld from the people while under the rule of Mao Zedong. Symbolism and allusion are used because they are universal. If people can deduce the meaning of the painting from these elements, then they possess the potential to understand the historical and moral meaning behind the painting, thus realizing my goal of informing the

viewers.
Art is a medium commonly used by people who want to provide knowledge for people who do not possess it. Jiang used her novel, Red Scarf Girl to give readers insight into the Chinese Cultural Revolution, while Meeropol similarly wrote “Strange Fruit” to alert the listeners about the racially fueled injustices that ensued in the South. In my painting, Tree of Knowledge, I use multiple artistic elements in order to help people understand the painting’s message and significance. Art is a potent force that has the power to blaze through obscurity and illuminate lives with its knowledge.