The red scarf Ji-li wears symbolizes her initial loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party. Soon after the Cultural Revolution begins, it drops out of the narrative, indicating Ji-li’s growing sense of betrayal at the hands of the Party. The red of the scarf symbolizes the blood of revolutionary martyrs who died bringing communism to China. Ji-li initially believes wholeheartedly in Party ideology and follows Chairman Mao’s sayings and directives with absolute faith. She wishes she could do more to show her zeal, like the early revolutionaries who risked their lives fighting in the Chinese civil wars. Instead, she throws herself into campaigns to root out the Four Olds. But as the Cultural Revolution gains momentum, Ji-li and her family find themselves labeled black for their landlord ancestors and Dad’s alleged rightist views. Meanwhile, the red scarf which Ji-li once wore with pride becomes a symbol of the social and political forces that seek to control and dominate her.
Red Scarf Quotes in Red Scarf Girl
My friends and I had grown up with the stories of the brave revolutionaries who had saved China. We were proud of our precious red scarves, which, like the national flag, were dyed red with the blood of our revolutionary martyrs. We had often been sorry that we […] had missed our chance to become national heroes by helping our motherland.
Now our chance had come. Destroying the four olds was a new battle, and an important one: It would keep China from losing her Communist ideals. Though we were not facing real guns or real tanks, this battle would be even harder, because our enemies, the rotten ideas and customs we were so used to, were inside ourselves.
I was so excited […] There were many more important missions waiting for me. I felt I was already a Liberation Army soldier who was ready to go out for battle.
Red Scarf Symbol Timeline in Red Scarf Girl
