An Analysis of the Main Characters of The Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress - Book Report/Review Example

The Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress – An Analysis of the Main Characters The novel “The Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress” by Sijie introduces the reader to a number of interesting characters like the unnamed narrator, Luo, the Little Seamstress, the village headman, the tailor, Four-Eyes and so on. The beauty of the novel is that each of these characters is adorned with a number of very human characteristics, which explains how the innate nature of people reveals itself in the right environment. The novel moves around the lives of two young people who are sent to a remote village to get ‘re-educated’ as a result of the Chinese Great Revolution. In the rudimentarily backward village, the young men meet a beautiful girl, and the rest of their days are considerably influenced by her presence. A look into the nature of the main characters, the Narrator, Luo, and the Little Chinese Seamstress, proves that though the Western literature they read has considerably influenced their thinking and behavior, it is their very basic nature that comes out as their actions. In other words, the Western literature only acts as a catalyst in their change. This is evident from the fact that after reading the same literature, three of them show contradicting qualities. In the novel, the Little Seamstress is the daughter of a wealthy tailor from a neighboring village. She is better off compared to the village standards, and capable of reading and writing though in a limited way. The Little Seamstress appears as a girl who loves independence and city life. She loves talking to people and listening to their stories. She says even her dog has acquired the nature as it keeps silence when the narrator and Luo visit her (Sijie 24). In addition, she has a bold personality that keeps her uninhibited by external influence. However, the most important point that deserves analysis at this juncture is her selfish and deceptive nature which contradicts her sweet and feminine external appearance. This point of evil in her can be found in the fact that “she pretends not to recognize him and she does so with such conviction that you would swear she had truly forgotten her past. Oh, it was heart-breaking” (Sijie 178). At this point, one has to remember the fact that she was happily utilizing the time and effort of both the narrator and Luo for her own benefits. Despite this attachment, she feels no remorse in running away from all of them for her own growth. Admittedly, some might argue that that she decides to go to the city because Luo teaches her “the idea that you could take on the role of a completely different person, actually become that person-rich lady” (Sijie 178). However, this does not become a justification for running away from Luo with whom she had sexual relationship and the narrator whom she depended on considerably in the absence of Luo. Thus, it becomes evident that the Little Seamstress is a disloyal and cunning female creature who was trapped in an undeveloped village surrounding. The moment she gets opportunity, she makes maximum use of her talent-beauty- to her advantage. To illustrate, knowing that she is pregnant, she approaches the narrator, “I am in trouble” (Sijie 149), and the narrator takes a lot of risk in the effort to save her. Still, even after seeing all the troubles such a mere friend goes through only to save her, the Little Chinese Seamstress decides to vanish for her own benefits. In fact, it is evident that the character was well aware about the power of her own beauty even before reading the Western literature. To illustrate, it is this knowledge on how to use her beauty to her own advantage that enables her to manipulate the headmaster to allow the narrator and Luo to visit her village to tell stories (Sijie 34). Evidently, this all happens before the Western literature considerably influences her. From this, one has to infer that the selfish and deceptive nature existed in her from birth and that the book only acts as a catalyst in the transformation. Though she claims that Western literature taught her “a woman’s beauty is a treasure beyond price” (Sijie 184), she knew it well before and was using it; either knowingly or unknowingly. In simple words, she is a perfect match for Luo considering their basic natures. A look into the character of Luo proves that he is not considerably different from the Little Chinese Seamstress in cunningness. Firstly, he has very little talent but he knows how to utilize the same to manipulate others. To illustrate, the narrator admits, “The only thing Luo was really good at was telling stories” (18). However, with this talent, he entertains people. The novel reads, “She hooted with laughter. Luo was a born impersonator” (Sijie 23). In addition, when Luo is down with malaria, he manages to make the sorceresses weep by telling stories when the narrator fails to make any emotional impact on the audience (Sijie 38). With this ability, he manages to have physical relationship with the Little Seamstress. However, a closer analysis of the character will prove that the “Conman Luo” (Sijie 65) who fakes love with the Little Seamstress, sleeps with her, and claims the girl is not civilized enough for him, is still taken aback by the way the Little Seamstress dumped him (Sijie 168). From this, one gains the insight that though both the people read the same Western literature, the way it influences their decisions depends on their own basic nature. A perfect example of this claim is the nature of the narrator, which shows stark contradiction. In contrast to the Little Seamstress and Luo, the narrator appears as a thoughtful, intellectual person. He talks less, has poor confidence, and easily cringes in the presence of people who are dominating. However, there are two important features which make him much better and more adorable than the other two. Firstly, the narrator appears really honest. To illustrate, he openly appreciates the talent of Luo, “How great Luo’s talent was!” (Sijie 58). In addition, the narrator openly admits the wet dream he had (Sijie 146), the jealousy towards Luo (54), and feels guilty for the same. While Luo and the Little Seamstress are faking their love for each other for their own benefits, claiming the influence of literature, the narrator decides to hide his feelings towards the Little Seamstress as she is the girlfriend of his friend, and even thinking about her in a wrong way makes him feel guilty. In addition, the narrator is highly loyal in his nature. In the absence of Luo, he struggles a lot to help the Little Seamstress. He visits various people for the abortion and even sacrifices his most precious treasure; the book by Balzac (Sijie 160) for her safety. Evidently, he is doing all these with the realization that he is not going to get any benefit in return. Here, one has to remember the fact that though the narrator also read the Western literature, he does not lose his basic qualities of loyalty, honesty and sincerity. In total, it is possible to conclude with the realization that the Western literature only acts as a catalyst in enabling the characters in exhibiting their true self. In fact, the Little Seamstress is just exhibiting her own true nature utilizing the Western literature as a shield. Luo, who is using Western literature as a way to transform the Little Seamstress for his own benefits, is surprised by the way she outsmarts him. The narrator is altruistic and honest and the Western literature does not alter his thinking. Works Cited Sijie, Dai. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. Trans. Ina Rike. New York: Anchor Books, 2002. Print. Read More