Throughout the story XiaoXiao by Shen Congwen, the differences between the villagers and the Coeds are clearly established. Congwen shows that there is a drastic difference between traditional Chinese culture and foreign culture adapted by the Coeds. XiaoXiao is bound by tradition to be married to a boy she has to raise but she cannot help but dream of a life living a carefree life. To XiaoXiao, the lifestyle of the Coeds is something to be admired and strived for. The practice of traditional culture brings the sounds of bamboo pipes signaling the marriage celebration of a young bride. There are those who cry in the face of the new hardships they are bound to face and there are those like XiaoXiao that have no need to cry because her life
