In the book "Red Scarf Girl" by Ji-li Jiang, Ji-li is initially hesitant and reluctant to accept the assignment to the class education exhibition due to several factors. However, she eventually agrees to take on the assignment as her perspective evolves and circumstances change.
Initial Hesitation and Reluctance:Fear of Public Humiliation: Ji-li is aware of the political turmoil and class struggle happening during the Cultural Revolution in China. She is afraid that if she participates in the class education exhibition and fails to effectively criticize her own family's "bourgeois" background, it could lead to public humiliation and scrutiny.
Conflicting Loyalties: Ji-li's family has a complex background due to their previous connections to the "Four Olds" (old customs, old culture, old habits, and old ideas). Ji-li is torn between her loyalty to her family and her desire to conform to the revolutionary ideology.
Fear of Consequences: The consequences of failing to fulfill the assignment's requirements or not adhering to the Party's ideology are severe. Ji-li fears potential repercussions for herself and her family if she doesn't carry out the assignment as expected.
Factors Leading to Acceptance:Peer Pressure: Ji-li's classmates are also grappling with similar assignments. Seeing her friends taking on their tasks and discussing their struggles makes Ji-li feel compelled to follow suit.
Influence of Role Models: Ji-li admires and respects her teacher, Teacher Zhang, who encourages her to face the truth and use the assignment as an opportunity to improve her understanding of the revolutionary principles.
Personal Growth: Over time, Ji-li experiences a transformation in her beliefs and values. She becomes more willing to confront her own biases and shortcomings, and she recognizes the importance of self-criticism in the context of the revolution.
Sense of Responsibility: Ji-li's sense of duty to her family, her class, and the Party begins to outweigh her fear of failure. She realizes that embracing the assignment is a way to contribute to the revolutionary cause.
Evolution of Perspective: Ji-li's increasing understanding of the political climate and the significance of the struggle classes prompt her to consider the long-term consequences of her decisions. She becomes more open to accepting the assignment to the class education exhibition.
In summary, Ji-li's eventual acceptance of the assignment to the class education exhibition is influenced by a combination of external factors such as peer pressure, the guidance of role models, and her sense of responsibility, as well as her internal growth and evolving perspective on her role in the revolution.