The director of the Shanghai Conservatory when Sparrow is a teacher there. He Luting is stubborn and obstinate, dedicated to playing Western music that he thinks is of high quality even when the government criticizes him for not playing music that is “revolutionary” enough. During the Cultural Revolution, He Luting is captured, tortured, and publicly humiliated by Red Guards, which Sparrow sees on television. Members of the Red Guard—former students of the Shanghai Conservatory—accuse He Luting of committing various crimes against the Communist Party and of teaching his students Western trash. Contrary to what everyone expects, He Luting refuses to confess, demonstrating his strength of spirit and commitment to doing what’s right.
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He Luting Character Timeline in Do Not Say We Have Nothing
The timeline below shows where the character He Luting appears in Do Not Say We Have Nothing. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 5
...their musical practice. On Sparrow’s way to his practice room, he passes the office of He Luting , the Shanghai Conservatory’s director. He seems to be having an argument with a visitor—“exactly...
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...few Conservatory students selected to take a trip out to the countryside last summer. (Since He Luting refused to stop classes, only “the children of cadres had been permitted to go.” All...
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Chapter 7
Zhuli and Kai have reached He Luting ‘s office. From inside, Zhuli thinks she hears music—specifically, she hears Petite Suite by Debussy,...
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Chapter 8
...Shanghai Conservatory remains closed—in spite of this fact, Sparrow is summoned to a meeting with He Luting ’s replacement as head of the Conservatory, who tells Sparrow that he is being reassigned...
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...Guards—former Conservatory students—who drag an elderly man onto the stage. Sparrow recognizes the man as He Luting . As the crowd chants “Kill the traitor!” the Red Guards question their former teacher,...
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