What is the Cultural Revolution? What is the role of Destroy the Four Olds?

Ji-li says that she was very happy until she was twelve. What happened at that point in her life that changed her life?

What are fourolds? In what ways are fourolds dangerous? How are they dealt with?

What are class struggle meetings? What is Ji-li's father suspected of?

What kind of pressure is Ji-li subjected to at her school? What is a study session and what is its purpose?

What does Ji-li learn about the Cultural Revolution after its end? What effect did it have on the lives of her and her family?

When Ji-li settles in the United States, why is she not happy in her career? What makes her open her own business?