Final answer:
Ma Yan's struggles in 'The Diary of Ma Yan' include financial hardships and societal pressures, while her hopes lie in the pursuit of education and a better life.
Step-by-step explanation:
In "The Diary of Ma Yan: The Struggles and Hope of a Chinese School Girl," Ma Yan faces several profound struggles and holds onto her hopes, much like many of the protagonists described in other works that touch upon personal and cultural challenges. Her struggles are primarily based on her financial difficulties, which create barriers to obtaining a quality education, and the societal pressures she must navigate as a young girl in rural China aspiring for more. Meanwhile, her hopes are encapsulated in her desire to continue her education and improve her life situation, not unlike characters in other literature who strive for self-improvement and fulfillment despite their trying circumstances.