Discussion 5: Social Changes

The social change in an important theme in the To Live, since the book includes events like the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, which are fairly significant to the development of China. In the novel, Fugui and his family experience through all these social changes, witnessing how people are influenced by the changes. Focusing on lower class people, Yu Hua depicts what the society brings to everyone. In your opinion, does the social change bring more benefits or more tragedies to poor people? to higher class?

Discussion 4: If you were Fugui, what would do?

What would you do, if you were Fugui, who suffers all kinds of adversities and anguishes in life? What would you do in response to the cruel reality?

Discussion 3: Meanings of Life

At the end of the story, after all the anguishes of losing everything, Fugui is with an old ox. In stead of committing suicide, which most readers expect, Fugui achieves peace inside. In your opinion, what is Yu Hua trying to say about the meaning of life? Does life mean to live?

Discussion 2: Historical Criticism and the To Live

Yu Hua depicts the life in China roughly from 1940's to 1970's, including events such as Chinese Civil War, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution. By applying the historical criticism strategy, how would you assess Yu Hua's description of the social change and people's life in the novel?

Discussion 1: Why author Yu Hua names the novel "To Live"?

Why author Yu Hua names the novel "To Live"? 

I think Yu Hua names the book "To Live" is because Fugui loses everything, including all his family members and close friends. The bereavement by the cruel reality has left nothing to him, and all he can do is to live. Yu hua is telling us that no matter how hard the life treats us, but the hope to live is one thing that we should never lose.

What do you think?

Introduction of the Author

Yu Hua (in simplified Chinese: 余华), is the author of novel, To Live, born April 3, 1960 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. He grew up during the Cultural Revolution and closely witnessed what was happening during the period. He applies this experience to many of his stories and novels.

Photograph from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Yu_hua.jpg

Introduction of the Novel

          To Live (in simplified Chinese: 活着), a novel written by Yu Hua in 1993, depicts the struggles of life endured by Fugui, the protagonist of the story, who is the son of the wealthy landlord. The book describes the life in China approximately from 1940’s to 1970’s, focusing on the life struggles of lower class during the time. By demonstrating the social change and the cultural development in China, To Live distinctly reflects how the cruel reality tortures poor people in order to discuss the meaning of life when there is nothing left but to live.