The Year 1979 in My Life

Summary

The passage explores a complex conversation between Li He and Meng Jian Guo about Meng's complicated feelings for Che Li Li, a married woman. Meng struggles with his deep emotional attachment, describing his love as uncontrollable and comparing his longing to a "mad dog". During a classroom scene, Li He passionately criticizes Bai Yang's book "Ugly Chinese", warning students against self-deprecating literature and encouraging critical thinking about national identity. The narrative reveals themes of forbidden love, intellectual discourse, and generational self-reflection.

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