Question
LETTER A
Dear (Name blacked out),
During the past several months since you left, there have been tremendous changes made by Chairman Mao Zedong in Chinese society. I don’t think that you would recognize it! Just discussing them makes my headache. First, remember all the land that had been taken from the wealthy landowners and divided among all of us poor peasants? Well, the government has taken it all away from us now! They have used all of that land to form huge farms called communes. Why? Something about communes being able to produce more food for China. Now, instead of working my own land, I must work the government’s communes when THEY want me to. In addition, all private property, like my hose and furniture has been turned into government property. I have no rights at all. Mao is running China through the use of force.
Even worse is what happened to my son.
Chairman Mao is eager to build China up into a great industrial nation. But he needs coal, oil, as well as thousands of miles of roads to transport these resources. Where does he get the workers for these projects? He drafted my son into a government work force. No one is permitted to resign from this work force. Those who object are sent to prison camps to be re-educated.
As for me, every morning, hundreds of us get up every morning in the big farmhouse and work all day long for little money. China is getting rich but the people are staying poor. Such an environment makes all of us cry. There is such an atmosphere of sadness here.
Best wishes,
(Name Blacked Out) LETTER B
Dear Comrade Wang,
I am so proud of all the tremendous progress that we have made in China. Remember when European invaders once overran China? That will never happen again! Chairman Mao has made our army the biggest in the world. In addition, we have more than enough new atomic weapons to defend ourselves form any attack.
You would not recognize the wonderful changes made in Chinese society. We now have thousands of miles of new highways that have been built, new factories are springing up everywhere, and our new farming system of communes is producing more food than ever. Everyone has a job in China and is helping to build China into a great industrial power.
But perhaps the best news is that we Chinese citizens have done away with all the evil greedy landlords who only took from the people. Now the government is in charge of everything in society. We don’t have to struggle for better jobs or better pay, the government gives everyone the same things! Chairman Mao will surely go down as a hero to the Chinese people!
Your friend, Comrade Chung
• Why are the names of the people blacked out in Letter A?
• What type of people wrote these letters? How can you tell?
Dear (Name blacked out),
During the past several months since you left, there have been tremendous changes made by Chairman Mao Zedong in Chinese society. I don’t think that you would recognize it! Just discussing them makes my headache. First, remember all the land that had been taken from the wealthy landowners and divided among all of us poor peasants? Well, the government has taken it all away from us now! They have used all of that land to form huge farms called communes. Why? Something about communes being able to produce more food for China. Now, instead of working my own land, I must work the government’s communes when THEY want me to. In addition, all private property, like my hose and furniture has been turned into government property. I have no rights at all. Mao is running China through the use of force.
Even worse is what happened to my son.
Chairman Mao is eager to build China up into a great industrial nation. But he needs coal, oil, as well as thousands of miles of roads to transport these resources. Where does he get the workers for these projects? He drafted my son into a government work force. No one is permitted to resign from this work force. Those who object are sent to prison camps to be re-educated.
As for me, every morning, hundreds of us get up every morning in the big farmhouse and work all day long for little money. China is getting rich but the people are staying poor. Such an environment makes all of us cry. There is such an atmosphere of sadness here.
Best wishes,
(Name Blacked Out) LETTER B
Dear Comrade Wang,
I am so proud of all the tremendous progress that we have made in China. Remember when European invaders once overran China? That will never happen again! Chairman Mao has made our army the biggest in the world. In addition, we have more than enough new atomic weapons to defend ourselves form any attack.
You would not recognize the wonderful changes made in Chinese society. We now have thousands of miles of new highways that have been built, new factories are springing up everywhere, and our new farming system of communes is producing more food than ever. Everyone has a job in China and is helping to build China into a great industrial power.
But perhaps the best news is that we Chinese citizens have done away with all the evil greedy landlords who only took from the people. Now the government is in charge of everything in society. We don’t have to struggle for better jobs or better pay, the government gives everyone the same things! Chairman Mao will surely go down as a hero to the Chinese people!
Your friend, Comrade Chung
• Why are the names of the people blacked out in Letter A?
• What type of people wrote these letters? How can you tell?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Why are the names of the people blacked out in Letter A?
The names in Letter A are likely blacked out to protect the identities of the individuals involved, possibly due to the sensitive nature of the content discussed. Given that the letter describes oppressive conditions under Chairman Mao's regime, the sender may face repercussions for speaking out against the government or sharing their dissenting views. Blacking out names can be a way to avoid persecution or to maintain privacy in a repressive political environment.
### What type of people wrote these letters? How can you tell?
The writers of these letters represent two contrasting perspectives on life in China during Chairman Mao's leadership.
1. **Letter A (Anonymous sender)**: This individual appears to be a peasant or a common laborer who is feeling the negative impacts of the policies implemented by the government. The tone is one of despair and frustration, focusing on personal loss, forced labor, and the erosion of rights. The descriptions of poverty, forced labor, and government control reflect the viewpoint of someone who is adversely affected by the regime's actions.
2. **Letter B (Comrade Chung)**: This individual seems to be a staunch supporter of Chairman Mao and the changes in Chinese society. The use of terms like "Comrade" and the enthusiastic endorsement of governmental policies indicate that the writer is likely a member of the Communist Party or someone influenced by the propaganda of the time. The language is positive, celebrating progress and advancements, and it showcases a belief in the government's ideals.
The contrasting tones and content in each letter make it clear that they come from very different perspectives or social classes in China during this period, highlighting both the optimism propagated by the government and the despair felt by ordinary citizens.
The names in Letter A are likely blacked out to protect the identities of the individuals involved, possibly due to the sensitive nature of the content discussed. Given that the letter describes oppressive conditions under Chairman Mao's regime, the sender may face repercussions for speaking out against the government or sharing their dissenting views. Blacking out names can be a way to avoid persecution or to maintain privacy in a repressive political environment.
### What type of people wrote these letters? How can you tell?
The writers of these letters represent two contrasting perspectives on life in China during Chairman Mao's leadership.
1. **Letter A (Anonymous sender)**: This individual appears to be a peasant or a common laborer who is feeling the negative impacts of the policies implemented by the government. The tone is one of despair and frustration, focusing on personal loss, forced labor, and the erosion of rights. The descriptions of poverty, forced labor, and government control reflect the viewpoint of someone who is adversely affected by the regime's actions.
2. **Letter B (Comrade Chung)**: This individual seems to be a staunch supporter of Chairman Mao and the changes in Chinese society. The use of terms like "Comrade" and the enthusiastic endorsement of governmental policies indicate that the writer is likely a member of the Communist Party or someone influenced by the propaganda of the time. The language is positive, celebrating progress and advancements, and it showcases a belief in the government's ideals.
The contrasting tones and content in each letter make it clear that they come from very different perspectives or social classes in China during this period, highlighting both the optimism propagated by the government and the despair felt by ordinary citizens.