Sijie uses Four Eyes’ glasses as a symbol of coming of age throughout the book. Four Eyes is dependent on his glasses, and in a way, he hides behind them. Four Eyes is kind of a cowardly person, and his glasses represent that. Additionally, the fact that Four Eyes wears glasses shows that he can be blind and closed minded, especially to other people’s opinions. He is only focused on his own goal and nothing else. When Four Eyes’ glasses become broken, he depends on his mom to send him another one. This shows that he is dependent on his parents, and also that his glasses represent his hopes of getting out of re-education to reunite with them. His mom is the one that helps him get new glasses as well as get out of re-education, and without his glasses, he can’t work in the fields or do anything else. He is using Luo and the narrator in this way, because he doesn’t actually consider them friends, he is just using them to get out of the re-education system.
Another idea through the symbolism of Four Eyes’ glasses is how the buffalo is the one that knocks them off, and in effect, breaks them. The buffalo represents the peasants and whole re-education system, and how the buffalo is taking away what Four Eyes needs and also his chance to get out. Throughout the book, Four Eyes does change, but the glasses just represent how he acts as his parents taught him to and he becomes more and more like that; he uses people to get what he wants behind a cowardly facade.
“The buffalo was of medium size, but boasted an exceptionally long tail, which swung vigorously from side to side as though determined to splatter its timid, inexperienced master with as much filth as possible. For all of his efforts to dodge the relentless lashes, one split second of inattention was enough for Four-Eyes to receive a blow to the face from the buffalo’s trail, which sent his spectacles hurtling through the air...he let out a stream of abuse, as if he had been blinded” (47).
“‘I’ve written to my mother. She’s going to send me a new pair as soon as possible, but I can’t sit and do nothing until they arrive. I’ve got to work, that’s what I’m here for. At least that’s what the headman says.’ He talked very rapidly, as if he had no time to waste on us” (53).
I like the insight on the glasses representing Four-Eyes' nearsighted/myopic attitude towards his friends and the Cultural Revolution. However, in the last statement, I think that Four-Eyes wasn't necessarily hiding behind a cowardly facade, I think he simply got what he wanted because of his cowardice.
ReplyDeleteI think Four Eyes Glasses also represents the whole reeducation process because glasses are primarily western and are also associated with intellectuals.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the metaphor describing how the glasses make Four Eyes have a limited world view. I like to bring in an idea when he loses his glasses, he becomes physically blind but mentally sharp. Without his glasses, he relies on the likes of his friends and acts for humble. For a moment, Four Eyes does not have the mindset that he is superior than the likes of others.
ReplyDeleteIf the buffalo is the reeducation system, who do you think is Mao in this situation? This connects really well to the Cultural Revolution and its after-effects. The Cultural Revolution caused a lot of people to become close-minded, like Four-Eyes. Also, Four-Eyes' dependence on his mom represents how China's people were dependent on Mao.
ReplyDeleteWhat aspect of coming of age do the glasses represent in relation to Four-Eyes/ how will the crutch of his glasses affect the type of person Four-Eyes becomes? Some people grow up dependent on their parents, and never grow out of it. Four Eyes will continue to need his glasses just as he will need his parents support through to the end of their lives.
ReplyDeleteHow do Four Eyes' glasses represent his hopes of getting out of the re-education system? Also you say that Four Eyes changes throughout the book, what do you mean by this (that his true intentions are revealed)?
ReplyDeleteThroughout the book the narrator and Luo discover Four Eyes' true intentions, this has to do with coming of age because as we grow up we discover who we are as people and our eyes are opened to betrayal, distrust, etc. Four Eyes was meant to be their friend but turned out to be a fake, cowardly person. Young kids/teenagers often find themselves letting go of "friends" and even though they are in the re-education program, Luo and the narrator have to deal with the same issues.
I like how you interpreted Four Eyes as hiding behind the glasses and his limited worldview. How does Four Eyes take back his chance from the buffalo?
ReplyDeleteI like how you connected the glasses to his parents and how four eyes depends on them, it helped me understand why four eyes did what he did.
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