Why are family relationships so important to the well-being of a person? What about a country? What happens to a country when its basic unit, the family, is destroyed? What can a country, its leaders, and even everyday citizens do to rebuild and strengthen families?
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Read Isaiah 58:6-10, then read the last paragraph of chapter 16 of Things Fall Apart. What themes do these two passages share? As Christians, we are called to more than just "saving" people, getting them to pray a prayer of salvation. We are called to live an "abundant life" and to bring others into it through discipleship. What have you learned about being God's instrument for healing in a broken world?
Watch the first 4 minutes of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icziYULmHJc How does its message connect to the themes of Things Fall Apart? What could the missionaries (particularly those under the leadership of Rev. James Smith) have learned from this video in their quest to fulfill the Great Commission and help the poor? As a Christian, how do you relate to the message of this video from your own experience with missions and evangelism?
Continuing from last week (when we discussed the fact that it is not possible to approach difficult parts of history without bias), this week’s Question of the Week will address a differing view of colonialism and imperialism from last week’s video:
PART 2: Read the article handed out in class today by Dinesh D’Souza, an American immigrant from India. React to it. What aspects of colonialism does he bring to light? What do you think this article gets right? Are there any important aspects of colonization that the article misses? Why does D’Souza say he can give two cheers, but not three? (Reminder: There is no need to answer every single question posed here, just choose a topic related to the article that you find interesting and comment on it.) As we discussed in class today, it is not possible to approach difficult parts of history without bias. With that in mind, the next two questions of the week will address various views of colonialism and imperialism: PART 1: Watch this 5 minute video about the history of British colonialism: https://youtu.be/CHrHgnRswhM React to it:
This is a controversial question, but I think you all are mature enough to have an intelligent discussion about it. It is one of the central questions I’d like to focus on for this novel: Is it possible for one culture or society to be better than another? To answer this you must explain what you mean by “better.”
(Please be aware that I may comment as a “devil's advocate.” My goal is not to argue my personal opinion but to get you to think and develop your thoughts about this ultimate issue.) "If you only hear one side of the story, you have no understanding at all," (Chinua Achebe, The Atlantic Online, Aug 2, 2000).
Achebe wrote this novel because he was tired of reading novels about Africa written only from a Western perspective. These books often portrayed African cultures as stupid and homogeneous, and he wanted to show that these cultures (though flawed) had an organized government with a rich way of life. Until this novel, people only read about one side of the story. Things Fall Apart changed that. With that in mind, what does the quote above mean and where have you seen this idea illustrated in your own life? Look up the definition of humility. An important theme one could take from the novel we are about to read is that humility is an essential trait for human beings to have: we must be humble in how we interact with people, particularly people who are different from us. (I think of Micah 6:8, which calls for us to walk humbly with God.) What do you think about this? Can you describe a situation in which you or a loved one learned how to exercise humility (or should have)?
We are officially done with Nectar in a Sieve and we haven’t started the next novel, so I thought I would choose a random topic for the question of the week this week. In light of the upcoming break, watch this video on the 4th commandment and react to it. Do you take a sabbath each week? Enjoy the break! You have worked hard all semester - you deserve some rest.
Read this article about a student from India’s thoughts on America: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-weirdest-things-about-america-2013-8 What from his list surprises you most?
A few weeks ago we discussed the various characters’ approaches to suffering in Nectar in a Sieve. One character fights it, one spends all her time yearning for the past, and another believes he has to just make the best of what he has in life and not fight what’s dealt to him. We discussed the fact that each of these approaches has value depending on the situation. The Serenity Prayer by theologian Reinhold Neibuhr also addresses the question of how to deal with life’s pain . . . but how does one know which reaction is best?
One of my favorite quotes about how important it is to be thankful is this one:
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow,” (Melody Beattie) What are you thankful for this holiday? Be specific - we are all thankful for food, family, and friends - why specifically are you thankful for these things? Why did the author begin the novel by telling us that Nathan dies and that she adopts a boy who’s not related to her? What’s the point of giving away the ending? What other books or movies do you know that use this technique (i.e. structure the story this way)?
Another central theme in this novel is that family relationships are far more important than “stuff,” status, or even education. Rukmani describes her romantic partnership with her husband, her beautiful relationship with her daughter, and the tender relationship that forms between her and Puli. What relationships mean the most to you in your life? Who in your family would you say you are closest to? Why is that relationship so important to you? Do you agree with the author that relationships are more important than one's status, possessions, etc.?
Consider the relationship Rukmani and Nathan have with their adult children. Does this seem typical of their culture? How is it similar to our culture? How is it different? How has your relationship with your parents changed now that you are only a couple years from adulthood and no longer a child?
One important theme in this novel is that suffering is a part of life, so we need to find healthy ways to deal with suffering and still find happiness despite it. Rukmani, Nathan, and Kenny all endure suffering in different ways. Which character’s attitude about suffering do you identify with the most? Why?
“Foolish woman,” Nathan said. “There is no going back. Bend like grass, that you do not break,” (ch. 4, p. 28). Do you think this is wise advice? Describe a time in your life something major changed for you (e.g. moving, family changes, new school, etc.). Did you react as Nathan advises or did you spend a lot of time yearning for the past?
Watch this two minute video: https://youtu.be/_IbNj7zGP7I Pearl S. Buck was said to be a “builder of bridges between China and the rest of the world.” What new information from the video did you learn about this novel's influence? What struck you about the culture in pre-Revolutionary China as presented by Buck in this novel? (Consider aspects of the culture such as religion, traditions, family life, and the relationship between rich and poor, men and women, and children and adults.)
What are your thoughts on "luck" or "fate," as this novel portrays it? How much responsibility do you think we have over what happens to us? Which character's attitude about luck vs. diligence do you relate to most in this novel?
It’s become pretty clear that Wang Lung’s sons are spoiled and ungrateful, especially the eldest. When he doesn’t get his way, he whines and complains until his father indulges him. As one author put it: “Ingratitude breeds unhappiness.” How have you seen this play out in your own life? If being spoiled (i.e. always getting what you want) makes a person unhappy, what’s the remedy for that unhappiness?
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Non-Western LiteratureGuidelinesThe whole purpose of this assignment - whether you're reacting to an idea, sharing your own story, or analyzing the reading - is to discuss the ultimate issues of life. With that in mind, make sure that you: Archives
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