Culture Shock

A detailed Summary of Culture Shock

The Chinese film, To Live, gives a glimpse of a culture somewhat similar to ours while at the same time being incomparable. From the political system to the way of rearing children can be seen in effect throughout the film. Some parts just had me shaking my head in shock and disbelief

The culture I saw displayed was one based entirely on communism. Everyone's life revolved around it, dominating them. The film does not start out as such, it begins with Fugui gambling away his family's possessions and before long the screen is overrun with 'reds' e.g. communist soldiers. And a new government is being instituted, those who choose not to cooperate are killed as is the man Fugui lost his house to gambling, "...They shot him 5 times for not sharing the house!" At one point Fugui tells his second child, Fengxia, that "the chick will grow into a goose, the goose into a sheep, the sheep will turn into a ox, and the ox... the ox will turn into communism. And everyday we'll have dumplings and chicken..." Explaining to his son the belief that communism is their salvation so to speak, that only good things can come from it.

Fugui's first born is married in a scene that screams communist propaganda. The entire wedding revolves ar

Followers of the communist way are soon found under fire, accused of being capitalists. It came to my attention that no one under 45-50 was pointed at. When Fugui's first child gives birth there is an absence of doctors in the hospital, it seems they were all deemed "revolutionaries." The exclusion of doctors cost the life of Fugui's first born because the students don't know how to stop a hemmorage. Apparently during this time China was undergoing it's "Cultural Revolution" which lasted from 1966-1976. A decade in which people of high education including engineers, doctors, laywers, mathmeticians, anyone with an education were sent to labor camps, many died there. Even those with glasses were forced into labor, because if you wore glasses, it must mean that you could read. Books were burned that weren't pro-communist, people were beat, families torn apart all for one man's need to stay in power. Perhaps another reason is also behind this, perhaps the communists saw Older people as weak and the youth strong (or more easily influenced). Whatever the reason, it's inexcusable to me, at first Mao embraces these people, then he ostracizes them.

The movie ends with Fugui telling his grandson the same phrase he once told his own son with one exception, "...the sheep turns into an ox, the ox...the ox turns into you growing up riding trains flying planes." Fugui neglects to use communi

Some common words found in the essay are:
Cultural Revolution, , Mao ZeDong, Chairman Mao, Apparently China, mao communist party, mao communist, communist party, chairman mao communist, red books, fugui wife, sheep ox, entirely mao, fugui's born, ox ox, shaking head, based entirely,

Approximate Word count = 940
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Movies