Chapter 24 Summary and Analysis

Life in the camp is difficult for both Chang Shou-yu and De-hong, but they are allowed visitors. Jung and her siblings take turns visiting their parents, staying for months at a time. They are especially concerned for their father, but Jung is relieved to find that he's not showing signs of schizophrenia. By 1972, he is saying that his life seems to be pointless and that suicide is an appealing option, but that he doesn't want to die without clearing his name because his children would live forever with the stigma. He tells Jin-ming, "If I die like this, don't believe in the Communist Party anymore".

Chang Shou-yu and De-hong are allowed to visit—their first in two years. De-hong has hemorrhaged from the womb for years and it's during one of their visits that she becomes very ill, passing out...