Mao’s Last Dancer

Mao’s Last Dancer

by

Li Cunxin

Minister Wang Character Analysis

Minister Wang is a Chinese Communist Party official who works in the Ministry of Culture. He permits Cunxin and Zhang Weiqiang to attend the Houston Ballet Academy in America, and he offers permission for Cunxin to return for a longer period of study. But he later withdraws permission for Cunxin to return, citing his concerns about excessive Western influences.
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Minister Wang Character Timeline in Mao’s Last Dancer

The timeline below shows where the character Minister Wang appears in Mao’s Last Dancer. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 19: Good-bye, China
Opportunity, Hard Work, and Success Theme Icon
Freedom vs. Repression  Theme Icon
...to the Ministry of Culture to reapply for his passport only to discover that the Minister Wang has changed his mind. Citing worries that Cunxin is too young to withstand potential Western... (full context)
Opportunity, Hard Work, and Success Theme Icon
Freedom vs. Repression  Theme Icon
...to America, Cunxin finally climbs down from the tree. He resolves to find out why Minister Wang changed his mind. Back at the academy, he learns that Teacher Xiao and Zhang Shu... (full context)
Opportunity, Hard Work, and Success Theme Icon
Freedom vs. Repression  Theme Icon
Cunxin talks Teacher Xiao into giving him Minister Wang ’s home address. He goes there three nights in a row. Each time, an armed... (full context)
Opportunity, Hard Work, and Success Theme Icon
Freedom vs. Repression  Theme Icon
...before he is due to depart for Qingdao, he reads in the newspaper reporting that Minister Wang will soon be leaving on a trip to South America. Cunxin and his teachers hatch... (full context)
Chapter 26: Russia
Opportunity, Hard Work, and Success Theme Icon
Love and Family Theme Icon
Freedom vs. Repression  Theme Icon
...feels overwhelmed with gratitude. His life in America is so different than in China, where Minister Wang refused to spare him even a moment of his time. Niang and Dia can hardly... (full context)