RMqm


 * Quotation Analysis **
 * Quote 1:** In this quote, we can clearly determine what kind of a revolution Mao had in mind. He says that, "A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery; it cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, so temperate, kind, courteous, restrained, and magnanimous. A revolution is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another". Mao, like many revolutionary leaders, visioned a revolution that would clearly make an impact in the society. By saying that "A revolution is not a dinner party...", Mao is saying that a revolution is something not to be taken as a joke. It is a means of taking ultimate control, and in order for a group of revolutionists to take control, one must use violence and aggression.


 * Quote 3:** "Wherever there is a struggle, there is sacrifice, and death is a common occurrence. But we have the interests of the people and the sufferings of the great majority at heart. and when we die for the people it is a worthy death. Nevertheless, we should do our best to avoid unnecessary sacrifices". In my opinion, this quote shows how Mao is indifferent about the innocent sacrifices of the civilians during the revolutions that he and his group initiated. This is especially evident in this part of the quote: "Nevertheless, we should do our best to avoid unnecessary sacrifices". Basically, Mao is saying that a struggle (in this case, a revolution), many sacrifices are made. Usually, these sacrifices are many deaths. Mao is saying that he would try not to increase the death rate and the consequences because he has the interests of the people, but death is a common occurrence.


 * Quote 4:** In this quotation, Mao describes the equality between the women and the men. Mao firmly believed in an all-communist society, where all of the Confucius rules did not apply any longer. That was the reason why Mao demanded all of the "Four-olds" to be destroyed when the Cultural Revolution began. The Four-olds were all of the old traditions, culture, thinking, and so on that interefered with Mao's new concept of a communist nation. In this quote, Mao encourages the women and the children to have equal footing as the men in China. "Protect the interests of the youth, women, and children...ensure freedom of marriage and equality as between men and women, and give young peple and children a useful education..."


 * Quote 6:** In this quotation, Mao describes the reason why there are revolutions, and the reason why Mao himself is correct. "Where do correct ideas come from? Do they drop from the skies? No. Are they innate in the mind? No. They come from social practice, and from it alone; they come from three kinds of social practice, the struggle for production, the class struggle, and scientific experiment". Here, Mao describes how "correct practices and ideas" are created. They are not created by innate states (in-born), but they are created by the society and its influences.


 * Quote 7:** "The world is yours, as well as ours, but in the last analysis, it is yours. You young people, full of vigor and vitality, are in the bloom of life, like the sun at eight or nine in the morning. Our hope is placed on you". Here in this quotation, Mao is talking to the younger generation of the revolutionarists. It is a commonly known fact that the Cultural Revolution was initiated by Mao Zedong, but it was made commonplace by the younger generation. The students from high schools and universities joined a force called the "Red Guards", and they were the one who executed, punished, and publically humiliated all of the authoritative figures. This quote shows how much faith Mao had in the students. Mao believes that the whole "new world" concept; the new communist world, will be run by the younger generation. And essentially, it was.