Freedom of the Buffalo
In the novel, Dai Sijie uses the symbol of the buffalo’s death to illustrate a turning point in the dominion of Mao, showing the weakening of Mao’s influence over the peasant community. This shows these intellectuals’ are finally breaking free from Mao’s strict rules which constrain them to little or no freedom. After the narrator reads more of Four-Eye’s books, he realizes how much he has missed out on his education because of Mao. He begins to believe that an individual can stand up for themselves, even in a suppressed society, giving more power to contradict Mao’s ideals. The village headman, by covering up the buffalo’s forbidden death as an “accident”, shows the village headman’s ability to rebel against their leader. Thus, there is a glimmer of hope for the intellectuals that the peasants, in going against Mao’s suppressive government, may have a chance of breaking free and having the power to stand up on their own, as shown by the buffalo. This symbol is related to when the narrator and Luo feverishly read the banned books from Four-Eyes. Stealing the books from Four-Eyes and reading them represent the hope for going against Mao’s principles and laws, similar to the village headman purposely disregarding Mao by killing the buffalo. Overall in the novel, an overarching theme of hope becomes transparent through the author’s choice of symbolism, such as the buffalo.
We are able to see this first when the narrator talks about his confusion about how the killing of the buffalo will happen due to it being illegal. He recalls, “There was some confusion about which buffalo would be killed and in what manner, because it was against the law to slaughter working animals that were used in the fields” (90). From this quote, we are able to see that it is against the law to kill a buffalo. They are aware that it illegal to kill a buffalo, but still try to do it anyways for their own satisfaction. The villagers' decision to kill the buffalo anyways shows that they are starting to rebel against Mao's rules.
We also see the overarching theme of hope through the buffalo when the narrator is describing the slaughter of the buffalo. He describes, “The slaughter was disguised as an accident; the perpetrator [Headmaster] claimed that the beast had lost its footing on a tight bend and had plunged headfirst down the cliff” (93). As we see, the narrator's account shows a direct symbol of rebellion against Mao. Despite the fact that it is illegal, the peasants still kill the buffalo and try to disguise it. This is highly unusual, as the peasants think of Mao as a god and would likely never go against his rules. However, here they do, which shows that Mao is potentially losing his influence in the peasant community. Additionally, it shows how the hope for freedom against is gaining, as now even the peasants are going against his laws.
This image here represents the chain controlling the peasants' actions is breaking, as they are going against the law and the wishes of Mao. The breaking of the chain shows that these peasants have more freedom to do what they want without something dragging them down. The chain in this situation is Mao and his strict rules that take away people's basic rights and freedoms.
Overall, the hope for gaining freedom is rising while Mao is losing his grip on the peasants, as they are killing the buffalo which is against the law and something Mao would not want to happen.
Doesn't Mao still have a lot of power over the peasants though, if they felt the need to disguise it as an "accident" that they killed the buffalo, doesn't that mean they are scared of what may happen if someone found out that it wasn't? The people in the village still have hope for more freedom though, that it why they decided to slaughter the buffalo in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThis relates to our symbol, too—movies. Both are similar because they are outside forces that weaken Mao's power. Not only do the peasants rebel by sacrificing the buffalo, but they are being educated themselves when Luo and the narrator recount the movies they've seen.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the chains breaking are very thoughtful. It's missing some quotes, but you are paraphrasing a lot of things from the book, which kind of serves as a quote. Great thorough explanation of your topic and in what way it connected to the book.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think the same buffalo who broke Four-Eyes's glasses might represent? How about when the narrator is purposefully elaborate in his descriptions of buffalo groaning after it is sliced open and cut?
ReplyDeleteI think that the buffalo is also a symbol of the ever-present split between the rich and the poor, even during the times of the Cultural Revolution, as much as it demonstrates the power of hope. Four-Eyes, when he had no hope of getting out, allows the buffalo to trample his glasses without complaining. However, when his mom comes and replenishes him with that hope, he in turn uses it as power over the buffalo to kill it and drink its blood.
I think your analysis is very thorough but I agree with Sofia - if they were no longer afraid of Mao and/or no longer hold him in super high regard, they wouldn't feel the need to hide it.
ReplyDeleteIf the killing of the bull is a sign of rebellion, why do the villagers hide it?
ReplyDeleteAlthough I see where your thinking comes from, I don't really agree with it. I think the bull is a symbol of hope more in the aspect that it represents Four-eyes escaping reeducation. The whole feast and the ceremonies is to celebrate that, and the fact that killing the bull is against Mao's laws is unimportant. On the contrary, it shows how momentous returning home is and that there is hope for the reactionaries. Either way, your analysis was very well thought out and insightful.
What do you think the fact that the buffalo that broke Four Eye's glasses is the one murdered signifies?
ReplyDeleteI believe the buffalo actually signifies rebellion against Mao, as the peasant headmaster chooses to kill the buffalo even though this is against Mao.