Part III: Chapter 18, Farewell to Shanghai Summary and Analysis

A few days after her passport application, Cheng receives a letter requesting that she come to a building to reclaim some of her goods that were taken from her during the Red Guards seize of her home. She is offered to be allowed to donate the pieces to the Shanghai Museum. She eventually accepts this agreement.

In February of 1980, Cheng wants to have a big celebration for what she hopes will be her last Chinese New Year in Shanghai. She invites a number of students and family over, including fireworks as part of the celebration. Cheng is aware that she might never see this country or celebrate this time again after she leaves for the United States. When questioned about why her Chinese New Year celebration was so over-the-top, Cheng merely...