Category: Uncategorized

The topic I wanted to blog about for Tuesday’s class would be the role of women and gender norms that were expected during this time. Mencius mother seemed to fit the mold for how all women were “supposed” to act and how all women saw themselves in society. They knew their role and they knew… Continue reading Gender Norms

Reading Ha Jin’s short story “An Official Reply” was especially interesting as a college student because it brought up the idea of not being able to choose your own major, even when applying for the major that you wanted. This lack of individualism and being forced to follow a certain career path could also have… Continue reading “An Official Reply” and “Woman from New York” in-class reflections

The Debate on Salt
 and Iron recounts the controversy over the government monopolies created over the production of iron salt and liquor. While these fiscal policies aimed to maintain a constant level of prices and create profits for the government, there was now less profit for private entrepreneurs which caused a lot of conflicting opinions.… Continue reading The Debate on Salt and Iron in-class reflection

Today, I had the opportunity to volunteer and help Kwan out at the Global Village grand opening. Global Village is a new gallery that showcases different cultural elements of different continents. Right when you enter the building, you can see a long line of flags against the left wall. Since I got there a bit… Continue reading IACA Global Village Grand Opening ~ 10/1

With a full week of going to Northview Middle School, I am finally starting to understand the whole process and have also picked up on some teaching tips. With working with adults, aged 25-45, whose first language is not English, there are a few adjustments that need to be made. Personally, I like to talk… Continue reading Week At Washington (Township)

In The Woman from New York, Jinli is practically shunned from her community, work, parents-in-law, and even her own daughter when she returns from New York. To me, it was fascinating to read about what other cultures think about the United States. People in Jinli’s community expected everyone in New York to be millionaires and live… Continue reading The Woman From New York, An Official Reply, and the Salt and Iron Debate

These two stories reveal a lot about what a communist society is like and how it affects people’s careers. In Woman from New York, the main character Jinli suffers a lot of discrimination after she returns from the US back to China. Everyone thinks that she got a job as a concubine for a wealthy… Continue reading Woman from New York & An Official Reply Post

Dear Wu Ta, It has come to my attention that my foolish husband has written to you regarding our family relationship. I am very good to him, he should have to complain. If he wants a concubine that badly he should try to find one, but I doubt anyone would work under a wrinkly sap… Continue reading Letter from Feng Yen’s Wife

Mr. Cheng is our narrator of Ha Jin’s “The Bridegroom”. He was asked by a close friend that was fatally ill to take care of his daughter, Beina, when he passed. Huang Baowen, the factory’s local heartthrob, suddenly proposes to her and they get married and receive a new 2 bedroom apartment. Then there is… Continue reading “The Bridegroom” Summary and Analysis

“Broken” by Ha Jin tells a story of railroad company worker, Shen Manjin, and his interactions with his fellow employees. A woman working as a typist, Ting Ting, is very attractive and made out to be “easy” by her male coworkers. They suspect her of having an affair with her boss, Benchou, and several people… Continue reading “Broken” Summary and Analysis