“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