Food Division in Grass Soup

Food Division in Grass Soup Zhang's attitude towards splitting up food rations at the reform camp suggests he has not been completely broken down and reformed by The Party. The significance of the dividing of foods illustrates his remaining integrity and emotions that the hunger has affected, but not removed. "Unfortunately, no matter what group I was assigned to, the others always trusted me" (164). Being trusted usually is a positive sign of your character, but …

…Party's ability to wear out rightists and criminals by starvation and labour, but throughout the experiences that are shared in the book, he possesses some basic honor and humanity in his daily activities. Even through dividing up food, Zhang portrays a decent human being in the torment his life has become. He is not indicative of other intellectuals, but he is an example of the inner strength an individual can discover he has to survive.