“The Landlord’s Granddaughter” from Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li JiangThis week’s vocabulary
wieldingverb
To use effectively or actively
Dad started to paint, wielding the brush awkwardly. Pg. 510
satinnoun
Glossy fabric with a soft, slippery texture
Glowing silks and satins spilled out of an old trunk. Pg. 510
obstinatelyadverb
Firmly, stubbornly
The gold stamping still obstinately showed through the layers… Pg. 511
lusternoun
Radiance; brilliance; shine
The pearls I had been playing with lost their luster, and I put them down. Pg. 512
piercingadjective
Acute; cutting; sharp
I felt my classmates’ piercing eyes as I mechanically left the classroom. Pg. 513
dismaynoun
Disheartenment; surprise by something that’s discouraging
My face must have shown dismay. Pg. 513
comradesnoun
Companions or friends; fellow members of the same group
“These comrades from your father’s work unit are just here to have a study session with you.” Pg. 513
condemningverb
Strongly disapproving; proclaiming someone is guilty
I saw myself standing in the middle of the stage, facing thousands of people, condemning Dad for his crimes… Pg. 514