Setting - Red Scarf Girl

In the autobiography Red Scarf Girl, Ji-Li Jiang lived in China during the Cultural Revolution, which changed her life. She talks about her life during this time period, starting from 1966. Chairman Mao started the Cultural Revolution, which was changing the customs and traditions of the Chinese people. It could have possibly happened in other countries, but other country leaders did not choose to start this act. Ji-Li supported the act at first, but gradually, as the revolution continued she became less and less supportive, especially after a Da-Zi-Bao, which was a big public poster humiliating a person, was written about her.

People from all over China were following the Cultural Revolution and putting "new" customs in place of "old" Chinese traditions. Because of her political background, Ji-Li and her best friend, An-Yi, were often taunted by their classmates. She originally had hopes of going to good schools, but due to new rules, she must remain in the district and go to the same school as the classmates who always pick on her and make fun of her, even though she did nothing to harm them. In general however, Ji-Li seems to be less and less supportive of the Cultural Revolution; she is not as enthusiastic about it as she used to be.