To Live (Lifetimes) 活著

1. To Live (Lifetimes) 活著 Melvin W. Wong, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist ChristianMentalHealth.com Students@ChristianMentalHealth.com

2. Shadow Puppet Show 皮影 • A form of ancient Television • Puppets were made of leather for flexibility & durability with portability • Illuminated from behind the scene • This art: The common thread over the events • A man’s accidental career with this art form • A way to illustrate the powerlessness & helplessness of the masses “Survival” “To Live”

3. To Live (Lifetimes) 活著Features of the movie • Chinese man: The gambler (addicted) • Chinese man: The spoiled brat (scoundrel?) • Chinese man: The irresponsible husband • Chinese man: The irresponsible father • Chinese woman: The servant (roles) • Chinese woman: The neglected wife • Chinese woman: The enabler • Chinese woman: The the whistle blower

4. Plot of the movie • The redemption of a traditional Chinese man • Introduction to the last fifty years of modern day China • Communism: The emergence & justification of • Nationalist government: The problems • Low morale with the soldiers: Opportunistic • Irresponsibility: Abandoned the sick to die in the cold • Atrocities were committed by the leaders (Abuse, corruption) • Introduction to the specific political movements • “Communes” for of idealistic community living • “Big Leap Forward” (“Backyard blacksmiths”) • The Red Guards: Cultural Revolution

5. 1940’s • Master Xiu Fugui: A spoiled brat and his gambling addiction • Grandiose: Took over the puppeteer's work • Gambling

6. Gambling Addiction • Pregnant wife confronts husband at the casino • “Losing face” of the husband • Wife decided to leave him • He was overcome with shame and wept • He lost his father’s house: Overcome with rage and suffered a stroke? Heart attack? • He lost his father

7. Father and son relationship • He disappointed his father by losing the house • He caused the death of his father “shame” • He accepted his wife’s naming of son “Don’t gamble” • He cares for his son • He care for his grandson

8. Husband and wife relationship • Husband can be redeemed because of his good wife • Wife was long-suffering and smart • Let husband be homeless until he gets it • Survived the family upon husband’s disappearance • Daughter held the hand of his dad to their home • Child is expected to be go-between

9. Chinese Communism & Psychological Effects Psychological effects on the Chinese people on the mainland • Common Psychological Effects (PTSD features) • Pain and tragedy: “Eating Bitterness” “Survival for the fittest” • Fears-safety: Unable to control or predict future political events • Mistrust: Disruption of “Basic Trust Bonding” Parent-Child • Trauma-Bonding: “Good & Bad” Reinforces family living • Passive-Aggressiveness: “Back Door” “Get around the system” • Encouraged “Mindlessness”: “Dumbing Down” Effect • Deprivation of resources: “Entitlement” expectations • “Blame” mentality: Unable to self-reflect, grandiosity • “Flee at all cost” “Make it no matter what”

10. Chinese Communism & Psychological Effects Psychological effects on the Chinese people off the mainland • Survivors’ guilt: Grief for family members on mainland • Estrangement & Separation of family members • Political ideas separate family member for life • Broken families: uncle & niece constitute a family • “The Abandoned” syndrome • “You owe me”: “It costs so much to go home!” • Scheme & scandals: To milk money from abroad

11. Chinese Communism & Psychological Effects Psychological effects on the Chinese people in Taiwan • They escaped the communists take over of the mainland • Self-determination: Starting over • Preferred to be called “Taiwanese” not Chinese • Wanting to be independent but fear of Chinese invasion • Psychological effects on the Chinese migration • Determination to rebuild at all cost: Casualties • Anti-Communists, anti-Japanese • Only the well to do or intellectuals can emigrate