It said that Mme. Mao was Mao’s “eyes, ears, and voice.” Up till that moment, I had never allowed myself to contemplate the obvious connection between Mme. Mao’s deeds and her husband. But now Mao’s name was spelled out for me. My blurred perceptions surrounding his image came sharply into focus. It was Mao who had been behind the destruction and suffering. Without him, Mme. Mao and her second-rate coterie could not have lasted a single day. I experienced the thrill of challenging Mao openly in my mind for the first time.
