Chapter+12

By: Zoe Gerber
 * Chapter 12 Info**

In this chapter Da meets a new important character in his story, I-Fei. I-fei is a disruptive but powerful friend, who eventually misleads Da as well. I-Fei also joins the band with Da, and Da helps him learn his music and how to play his instrument. Da discovers in this chapter that his teachers are not very willing to help him catch up with his work, and that the students control the teachers. In this chapter, Da beat up Han, his elementary school "enemy." This was a huge deal for Da, and he would not have done it, without the pressure from I-Fei. Near the end of the chapter Da goes to visit his cousin Wen Qui (The cousin who he hid with) who lived in the village of Ding Zhuang. Da's cousin and his wife make a huge impact on Da, by explaining to him the importance of getting an education and how it was the key to his future.
 * Brief Synopsis**

An very important issue in this chapter is Da's friendship with I-Fei, and how it is changing his outlook and determination to get an education. An important theme of this chapter is the manipualtive friendship that I-Fei and Da share. I-Fei pressures Da into beating up Han and to stop caring about school.
 * Important Themes/Issues**

"Mom kept saying I should be a straight A student and try to impress the teacher, but high school was one big mess." pg 129
 * Key Quotes

"You mean the students control the teachers? I guess you could say so." pg 130

"What's the use? Knowlege. Nobody can take that away from you. Times will change, then you'll be sorry." pg 135**

Simile- "Mr. Ma stared at us like a disapproving parent and snatched them all back" pg 134 Simile- "Han crawled to his feet like a dog hit by a truck and limped away, mud, sweat, and tears covering his face." pg 133
 * Language/Style**

The overall mood of this chapter is rather serious because this new friendship that Da forms with I-Fei is the beginning of him giving up on school and almost, his future.
 * Tone/Mood**

"A violinist soloist, performing before thousands of fans in a great concert hall. I want to travel by plane, wear good suits and ties, and have female fans fainting at my feet." pg 136
 * Symbols**

I think this quote symbolizes how slim Da's chances of having a real future and getting out of Yellow Stone really are.


 * Narrator**- The narrator is Da in this chapter


 * Important New Characters:**

**I-Fei**
-Son of the major of Han Jian -Mother was the president of the womwn's federation at a government dried goods manufacturing factory -Lives with his Aunt because parents were to busy with their involvement with the Communist Party -Teachers tolerated him because his mother controlled the sugar/cooking oil in the country/ his parents were so powerful and high up in the Communists Party

Characteristics
-Pompous, Popular, Trouble Maker, Manipulator, Bully, Does not care about education


 * Photo relating to Chapter

This picture represents Da playing the violin and I-Fei learning to play the accordian.**