Long Err's Shoes Analysis

Current word count: 1243

The two powers have a thin barrier which causes people to quickly cross the threshold of balance. As one person dies, another lives, and also, it works in reverse. Yu Hua integrates this concept and develops a deep understanding of life exchanges. Even Fugui comes to understand this as “[he] realized how close [he had] come [into] being in Long Er’s shoes” (84). In order for him to live, Long Er dies because of circumstance. Since he had been close to being in “Long Er’s shoes,” it signifies that the position of wealth previously afforded to Fugui was fated for death. That phrase reveals the idea of one life for another as the author illustrates that Fugui, by losing his status, did not have to give his life. Instead, they execute Long Er, who earlier yelled that “[he is] dying for [Fugui].” Therefore, because he is “dying” and it is in Fugui’s place, the process of exchanging lives begins. As the story …show more content…
This is because she recognizes the debt she accumulated herself by living longer than expected. She tells Fugui that giving birth to their children was “[her] way of repaying [him]” (211) for a good life. Since she believed she got more than she deserved in life and expects to “repay,” proves the existence of balance. This time it dictated by the author’s balance that she provide life as well. As a result her children do die prematurely and she died shortly after Fengxia’s as another counter effort. When Kugen dies, she chooses the name Kugen “Bitter root” because he is “without a mother” (211). The author chooses the name Kugen and compares his life “without a mother” to a root that is bitter. The purpose of naming him this way was to illustrate that he is still expected to pay the price despite being a child. No one is exempt from the price, but whether or not they are the ones to pay is a different