Mr. Chiu Saboteur by Ha Jin

Mr. Chiu Saboteur by Ha Jin Introduction Ha Jin is a Chinese novelist currently living in the US and the author of the book Saboteur. Saboteur is about a young man, Mr. Chiu (34 years old) living under the times when China is under Cultural Revolution. Due to unfair reasons, he is taken in as a prisoner while on his honeymoon. To secure his freedom, the bureau chief forces him to sign a fake statement. He signs the document reluctantly mainly because he is suffering from acute hepatitis and needs urgent medical attention.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Mr. Chiu: Saboteur by Ha Jin specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The Imprisonment of Mr.Chiu Mr.Chiu is newly married and out for his honeymoon. One day while having lunch at a restaurant with his wife, a police officer accidentally splashes tea on them. Instead of being apologetic, he acts rudely and discourteously accusing Mr.Chiu of undermining him and therefore, Mr. Chiu is under arrest. Unfort unately, Mr. Chiu arrest is due to false allegations. When he reaches the police station, none of the police officers including their chief officer listens to him; instead, they lock him up in a cell exposing a society full of injustices and oppression. This parallels the contemporary world, full of injustices and mistreatments perpetrated especially by the police force and the judicial systems that are full of corruption and impunity. Ironically, the people who are supposed to protect citizens violate the very rights they should be protecting. While in police cell, a false evidence report is prepared accusing Mr. Chiu of being a nuisance to the public and lack of respect to police officers. The chief officer orders Mr. Chiu to admit his misdeeds and sign a confession. However, when Mr. Chiu realizes his arrest is due to his affiliation to the communist party, he declines their order. Unfortunately, whilst in the cell, Mr. Chiu suffers hepatitis, which devolves his health for he can not access health services. Unluckily it is during the weekend hence no medical attention to the inmates but he hopes the University will come to his rescue. On Monday morning, the university sends Fenji to secure the release of Mr. Chiu. Unfortunately, his rescuer is cuffed to a tree killing his hopes. In addition, one of the police officers heartlessly tortures Fenji as Mr. Chiu watches. The police officers are a symbolic nature of those in power and authority in the present society (Esherick, Pickowicz, and Walder 7). There is lack of humanity, respect, freedom of speech and expression as experienced by Fenji and Mr. Chiu. Likewise, the current leaders especially those in power are oppressive and sometimes they care less about human rights. On the other hand, there are poor health and welfare policies for citizens or those in correction centers.Advertising Looking for essay on literature languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF L earn More Finally, Chiu surrenders to the demands of bureau chief securing his freedom and that of Fenji. However, he is full of revenge to destroy the police force. Although he knows he is suffering from hepatitis, a contagious disease, he eats in different cafeterias and touches food allover to spread hepatitis. He succeeds in his revenge mission for the disease infects around 800 people and kills six of them. This is an irony because as a university lecturer, Mr. Chiu spreads hepatitis yet he knew it is contagious, therefore infecting innocent people. Currently In the society, there are people who are out to destroy innocent souls either knowingly or unknowingly just like Mr. Chiu. Conclusion Mr.Chiu finds himself in prison unfairly courtesy of a disrespectful police officer. The chief officer backs up his junior officer and even goes ahead to harass Fenji who had come to secure his release. In summary, at last, Chiu acquires his freedom but his human rights are violated because he is suffers hepatitis. The story draws parallels in the contemporary society. Mr.Chiu represents people experiencing inhuman acts by security personnel in charge of their safety. On the other hand, the bureau chief is a symbol of corrupt officers and leaders in the contemporary society. Esherick, Joseph, Pickowicz, Paul, and Walder, Andrew. The Chinese Cultural  Revolution as History. Stanford: Stanford UP, 2006. Jin, Ha. Saboteur: The Story and Its Writer. Ed. Ann Charters. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007.