The Headman
Chinese re-education centers were places where Mao would indirectly teach the youth of China through labor and censorship. The communities were designed to be strict facilities of Communist learning, but as seen in Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, Ma and Luo enjoy many liberties. A common misconception is that the Headman is an enforcer who controls all aspects of the village. He is rather more interested in the values and customs of China and is content with the town. For example, in the novel the Headman is more interested in sneaking into Ma and Luo’s hut to explore their alarm clock than controlling and commanding the fields. His job as “Headman” appears to be a title because places of reeducation were typically peaceful and required little overseeing. Dai Sijie was historically accurate when he portrayed the role of the Headman. He had little authority over Ma and Luo, and would even go as far as accepting bribes and cutting deals with them. Therefore it was less a fear of punishment from the Headman who kept Ma and Luo in the village, rather a lack of hope that bounds them from running away. Villagers were kept in line because they truly believed that they had nothing worth running to. Overall, the Headman’s role seemed less authoritative, but rather a title that held a source of power.
