The Four Olds refer to a campaign during the Cultural Revolution in China aimed at eradicating old customs, old culture, old habits, and old ideas. In the context of the book ‘Red Scarf Girl’ by Ji-li Jiang, the protagonist and her peers are heavily influenced by the Communist Party’s propaganda that denounces these ‘olds’ as remnants of the feudal past that must be destroyed to pave the way for a new, socialist society.
Throughout the story, Ji-li and her classmates witness the fervent enthusiasm with which people are encouraged to reject and attack anything associated with the Four Olds. This results in a chaotic environment where not only objects but also people who represent traditional values are targeted. The concept of the Four Olds serves as a backdrop to the dramatic changes and moral dilemmas faced by Ji-li as she grapples with her identity, her family’s past, and the societal pressures to conform to the new order.