Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin (Biography Example)

This is the incredible story of a poor Chinese peasant boy who, at the age of eleven, was chosen by Madame Mao's delegates to study ballet during China's Cultural Revolution. In 1979, the young dancer arrived in Texas as part of a cultural exchange with the Houston Ballet. There he fell in love with America and an American woman. Two years later he defected to the United States, where he became one of the greatest ballet dancers in the world. This remarkable biography is the story of his journey, the dissolution of the Communist ideal and a fascinating glimpse into Chinese-U.S. relations.




Cunxin lived in a poor village, was a member of a close family of seven and seldom had enough food to eat. His parents labored and sacrificed for their children. There was plenty of love and respect in this family and the parents instilled a strong work ethic in their children with their unwritten expectations. When Cunxin started school at age nine, his mother said "the Li family has one more scholar today." She encouraged him to work hard and to make the family proud. It is not surprising that when Madamne Mao's delegates tested the village children to study ballet and serve in Chairman Mao's revolution Cunxin was selected because he demonstrated pride and could endure great physical pain. Even though Cunxin didn't want to leave his family, they were ecstatic, he was a lucky boy, he would escape from their cruel world, always have food to eat and there would be one less mouth for them to feed. The entire village was bursting with pride and wished him well.



At the academy, Cunxcin not only learned ballet, he was indoctrinated with Mao's philosophy. China was the happiest, richest nation on the planet. Chairman Mao would end the poverty and lack of food they now experienced, he would lead them to greater prosperity.  At the end of the first year, even though he worked hard, Cunxin's grades were not good. He returned home for the Chinese New Year. His last night at home his father gave him a beautiful fountain pen, deep royal blue, his favorite color. His father did not mention his grades, but said "every time you use it, you will remember your parents and our expectations of you." Don't let us down. Let us be proud." Cunxin returned to school with his father's words echoing in his ears. He practiced and worked relentlessly. His grades improved, but no matter how hard Cunxin persevered or how many ballet leaps he performed, he was not a graceful ballet dancer. He certainly had the intelligence and the grit, but until he truly believed in himself and how worthwhile dance could be in his life, he didn’t transcend mediocrity. Teacher Xiao reached the artist deep inside Cunxin and truly brought out a passion and love for ballet.



The Cultural Revolution ended with Mao's death.  The artistic director of the Houston Ballet came to the Bejing Dance Academy to teach and offered 2 scholarships to the Houston Ballet Academy. Cunxin was selected to study in America. He was briefed by the Chinese Ministry of Culture to resist capitalistic influences, exercise communist judgement, represent China and its people and never lose face. Cunxin had never seen an airport, had never been to a restaurant, he had never seen an orange, had never had a bath. He had been brainwashed that Americans were the enemy, America was filthy, the poorest nation in the world. The amount of wealth was truly amazing. Cunxin loved America! He tried to convince himself his strong communist faith was unshakeable, but he had tasted freedom and he couldn't lie to himself. Cunxin's dancing improved enormously after his six weeks of study in Houston so his teacher convinced the government to allow him to study in America for a year. During that year Cunxin realized he could not return to China and survive in a world devoid of freedom. In 'cloak and dagger' negotiations between the two governments, a very brave Cunxin defected and was free!



Cunxin traveled the world became one of the world's best dancers. He realized that China had lied not only about America but about the rest of the world as well. Six long, fearful years after his defection, the Chinese government finally allowed his parents to visit him in America. His parents thought America was heaven! After they returned to China, Cunxin was able to write and telephone them freely. While studying and performing ballet, Cunxin rose early each morning to attend the university to study finance and accounting. He realized that his body would not withstand the continued physical punishment of ballet and he would need a new career. Cunxin and his wife, also a ballet dancer, have 3 children and live in Australia where he is a senior manager and stockbroker.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (Fiction Example)

Dorothy, along with her beloved dog Toto, finds herself stranded in a bizarre and magical world after a terrible cyclone, and must embark on a journey to the Emerald City to implore the Great Wizard of Oz for help, along the way she makes some very special friends.


Dorothy is the protagonist and the Wicked Witch is the antagonist. The conflict is person to person, Dorothy vs. the witch, as opposed to a person vs. nature or society. The setting is a farm in Kansas and the Land of Oz. The climax occurs when the Wicked Witch is melting because she is splashed with water. The denouement or final resolution of the plot happens when Dorothy and friends resolve their situations: the Tin Man his heart, the Scarecrow his brains, the Lion his courage, and Dorothy returns home. The theme is repeated many times as Dorothy clicks her heels, "There's no place like home."


Although the book is often classified as children's literature, the images and characters closely resembled well known political images from the 1890s, specifically the debate of the day regarding monetary policy, i.e. the Yellow Brick Road symbolized the gold standard and the Lion the Wall Street investors afraid of the economic conditions. How appropriate for today's economic climate, the world is in a recession. Many blame the greedy hedge fund managers and the banking industry for today's economic conditions. The unstable stock market is like a roller coaster because investors are uncertain when the economy will recover. Even though this book was written over 100 years ago, it is still applicable today, the sign of a true classic!

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Esquith R. "Teach Like Your Hair's On Fire"