My Name To Liang Heng example essay topic

Political 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 un trusting 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 came to resent my mother for making my life so miserable. I began to believe that she really had done something wrong" (16). 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.

The children in this house need a Revolutionary mother, not a Righteous mother" (10). Although Heng's father deeply cared for his wife he felt like he needed to in force that fact that what she had done was wrong. Following the mothers re-education, her and Shan got a divorce and she distanced herself from the family as much as possible as so not to interfere. 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. Perhaps it's much safer that way.

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. It's almost more then I can bear" (166). The Cultural Revolution tore many family bonds apart that should have been intact and made it very difficult for some to live their lives to the fullest. The respect that floated from children to the adults greatly diminished once Mao came to power since he wanted to rid of the four olds. "No wonder people criticize you. You just keep following the Revisionist line and refuse to change, don't you?" (71).

Liang Fang expressed the disgust she felt towards her father when she was at home for a short visit from the Red Guard. 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. "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). Later, when a movement to send the youths to the countryside to live with peasants arose Heng had both of his sisters taken away from his again, only this time he was left alone by himself because his father was also away being taught to love Mao. "It wasn't until I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep that I realized how terribly, terribly lonely I was" (147). Due to all the new movements constantly being formed and all the people that were being sent away to be re-educated families were torn apart for months, possibly years at a time.

Heng was kept away from the people who should have been the most influential in his life, and he didn't at all enjoy it. Finally, after a few years went by Heng's father gave in to societal pressures and remarried to a lady named Zhu Zhi-dao. Usually when two people get married they move in together and the new spouse has a huge input into the family's lives; but Zhi-dao was never really actually around to have a real influence on any of the children's lives. "So we waited and waited, but she was never there except on festivals and holidays, and then all she and father ever talked about was the question of her transfer" (34). Heng's step mother served more as a mother of convenience, but had no real maternal role.

"She just didn't see us as her own children. Once I even overheard Liang Wei-ping ask her for sanitary paper for her monthly and she was told to use newspaper instead" (197). Having a new legal mother allowed the family to gain some social status and she tried to make some minor changes in order to better the chances for survival in the constantly changing world. "It was her who changed my name to Liang Heng, "Liang Constant", to show that I was beginning a new life of stability and perseverance" (19).

Not only did the children recognize that the marriage served only as a political reassurance, but Shan made sure that he informed his son of the importance of marrying for love and growing old together. "You must grow old together, be loyal to each other. Don't make the mistake that I did" (286). Revolutionary China had an interesting impact on family life that ultimately created a lack of structure and influence on the part of the family.