Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie

Google made learning superficial, depriving young people of the opportunity to read deeply. Modern technologies simplified acquiring knowledge because they are “designed for the efficient and automated collection, transmission, and manipulation of information” (Carr). The Internet transformed remarkably the approach to education and reading in the last several decades.

The difference in approach to reading books has always played an essential role in impacting a person’s life. However, this book influenced her more than Luo, changing her perception of beauty and her entire life. Although Luo did not believe that the girl is intelligent enough to understand this literature, he still helped her read Balzac’s novel. After obsessively reading all the reactionary literature Luo and the narrator want to transform the Little Seamstress by telling her stories from books. This novel’s idea is similar to Fahrenheit 451 film and book, supporting the notion that humanity’s desire for truth cannot be burned or erased. The narrator and Luo are young intellectuals who were also thirsty for knowledge banned in China at that time, finished all work for Four-Eye to borrow a book by Honoré de Balzac. For example, Four-Eye, who was also sent for re-education through hard work, hides the forbidden literature.

In Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, young people want to acquire knowledge despite the fear of punishment.

Reading books has always been considered the best approach to obtain knowledge that can become formative for one’s future path. Dai Sijie’s novel shows that people have always been thirsty for education, and obtaining knowledge through reading books could change their mindset and life direction. However, the main character, whose life changed dramatically after reading books and listening to stories, was the Little Seamstress. They were ready to steal books that they never had a chance to read. Luo and the narrator were bright representatives of people who received primary education and desired more knowledge. She was lucky to meet two young intellectuals, the narrator and Luo, sent by the Chinese government to her village for re-education through labor. Dai Sijie’s novel Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress tells the story of a beautiful Chinese girl, a tailor’s daughter, the Little Seamstress, who enjoyed stories but could not read well. Although even primary education was limited in many parts of the world in the past, people still sought education. Humanity has been striving for knowledge for centuries which became possible with the appearance of writing and books.

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie