# data[].attributes.body
One of the many books the narrator reads to Luo, Balzac, specifically speaks to her and causes her to gain the courage to change her life and leave. She “wants to go to the city” to find herself and become true to herself. (184) The little seamstress originally seemed like a quite mountain girl who would do anything to please those surrounding her, but as the story progressed, she transformed into a strong independent women.

# data[].attributes.body
The boys burn the books because they remind them of the Little seamstress. The books are what convinced her to leave which causes the boys to hate the books even more. The little seamstress left because she realized that “‘a woman’s beauty is a treasure beyond price,’” and because of this her departure led the boys to burning the books.(Sijie 184)

# data[].attributes.body
The books that the boys discover are more than just novels; they allow the narrator to find his passion for writing, they allow Luo to create a relationship with the Little Seamstress so she can become cultured, and they allow the Little Seamstress to transform into more than just a quite mountain girl. The books are life changing for the characters in this novel. The books also enlighten the characters on the horrors of the communist government and the inhumane / cruel behaviors leader Mao exhibited.

# data[].attributes.body
How do the books effect the characters lives?

# data[].attributes.body
Why does Luo burn all the books after the Little Seamstress leaves?

# data[].attributes.body
How does the Little Seamstress change throughout the book?

# data[].attributes.headline
Explanation of How Song Relates to Novel

# data[].attributes.subject
Explanation of How Song Relates to Novel

# data[].attributes.body
Fight Song is Rachel Platten’s way of expressing her willingness to fight and her strength. The fact that she expressed this through song lyrics truly shows how powerful words are and connects to our theme in the novel. The song also expresses feminism which relates to The Little Seamstresses femenisitc traits such as her ability to leave and demonstrate individualism as a strong women.

# data[].attributes.body
“And all those things I didn't say
Wrecking balls inside my brain
I will scream them loud tonight
Can you hear my voice this time?

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me”

# data[].attributes.headline
Power of Words - Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

# data[].attributes.subject
Power of Words - Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

# data[].attributes.body
“The peasants’ face, so grim a moment before, softened under the influence of Mozart’s limpid music like parched earth under a shower, and then, in the dancing light of the oil lamp, they blurred into one” (6).

Significance: This quote is significant because it represents the impact that music, art, and literature have on the peasants. Although Western art is prohibited, the two boys were able to trick the villagers into listening to Mozart, a composer. The village headman was overwhelmed with the melodic piece. This quote is proof that music, art, and literature challenges censorship and gives voices and power to individuals.

# data[].attributes.body
“Every half-hour or so I would pause, usually at a cliff-hanger, not because I was tired but because I couldn’t resist showing off some tricks of the story-teller’s trade” (126). Significance: This quote is important because it shows how the books brought out a different side of the narrator. The novel explores how storytelling and censorship work together to show that storytelling gives individuals power, and how censorship can enhance literature. Because there is value in literature, it becomes a threat to the Chinese government. Therefore, storytelling posed a threat to the communist party.

# data[].attributes.body
“She said she had learnt one thing from Balzac: that a woman’s beauty is a treasure beyond price” (Sijie 184).

Significance: This quote is significant because it shows how the books affected the Little Seamstress. The books introduced feminism to the Little Seamstress, and she is now beginning to understand her worth. Luo had hoped to transform the Little Seamstress into a cultured young woman, but little did he know that he would transform her in an unexpected way.