Respond in 3–5 complete sentences.
Explain how Ji-Cai shows the effects of the Cultural Revolution on the landlord's wife, the tall woman, and the short man in "The Tall Woman and her Short Husband." Give an example for each.
Ji-Cai shows the effects of the Cultural Revolution on the landlord's wife through her guilt and remorse for her past actions, as she must now face the consequences of her privileged lifestyle. For example, when she is forced to sell off her belongings to survive, she reflects on how she had once lived a life of luxury while others suffered.
The tall woman is shown to be bitter and resentful towards those who were once above her, as she seeks revenge on the landlord's wife for past injustices. This is evident when she refuses to forgive the landlord's wife and plots to ruin her reputation in the village.
The short man demonstrates a sense of fear and paranoia brought on by the political turmoil of the Cultural Revolution. He is constantly on edge, worried about being targeted by the authorities or accused of being a counter-revolutionary. This is illustrated when he becomes suspicious of the tall woman's motives and is reluctant to trust her.