Summary

In "Insubordination," the "Cultural Revolution began in 1966" (59). One day, a group of students gathered in the building where Momo and Dawn had once practiced the violin (60). Inside, they destroyed the resident bust of Beethoven.

That same evening, "Dawn's grandfather was in bed" (61). Dawn knew he did not have long to live. She brought her violin with her from the factory where she had been assigned to work. She played for him, and turned on the radio. Her grandfather talked to her about her "temperament," encouraging her to avoid conflict in order "to stay whole" (62).

Shortly thereafter, a group of Red Guards arrived. They made Dawn destroy her grandfather's books. When they found out about the violin, Dawn's grandfather readily destroyed it. That night, he forbade her to keep any part of the instrument "as a memento" (67). He insisted she...