275-300

Hessler first talks about how women in China are more likely to be depressed and commit suicide then Chinese men. Women feel more isolated and frustrated. Along with that he talks about how women in Fuling were somewhat “off” they would make up things in their head and truly believe them. I personally think that women in china are probably more depressed and commit suicide more than any other country because they are treated unequal to men in China. Even though there is still sexism in countries I believe that China is the worst. This is also probably why they make up these fantasies and fallacies in their heads; to be happy in some aspect of their life. Hessler kind of makes it seem as if, if the women are not depressed that then they go crazy so they won’t feel depressed. In other words, maybe they go crazy from the depression and either commit suicide or go off into a bad mental state where reality does not exist in their head anymore. Later on Hessler touches on the fact that mainly they addressed women as xiaojie which translates to “miss” or “young woman”, mainly the woman had small jobs such as a waitress or shop assistants and so on. 

250-275 (I don't know if you could still accept, but I'm sorry for the delay.)

This section was very interesting to read. Hessler was very descriptive when he discussed the importance of money and the significance. I noticed that in this section when Hessler talks about people in Fuling discussing money, I enjoyed on how they discuss it compared to how we discuss it. In Fuling, it feels like you could do a lot with what people like Hessler make in their salary. Growing up with parents that worked hard, I felt that money in my household was something you worked for. The culture I live in has many different views and perspectives on money. The attitude towards money varies. Some are very wise while others are very greedy. In other words, when it comes to receiving, some will put away and invest. Meanwhile, others will spend what they’ve made, not even realizing what they could’ve done by putting away. I feel that the attitude towards money should be held in a positive way. My view on money is how you use and handle it. When I get money, I don’t try to go out and spend everything at once. Instead, I decide to put it away and save, in hope of getting something worth more value. Growing up, my parents taught me that it’s always to put away at least 10% of what you make. Over time, that 10% will grow, making it worth more. I feel that the motive for Fuling is to make money without reason. As for people in the U.S., that view is quite the opposite.

My Response to 275-300

Hessler has made it clear that although women in China are educated, they also have a ton of emotional issues with themselves and men. The fact that these women are more likely to commit suicide than Chinese men and have the ability to make up love affairs in their heads about men who they barely know is insane. This, to me, is like a sickness. First off, to be able to kill yourself is to be able to hate yourself. The question is why would they hate themselves? Hessler does not explain much of why, but I feel that maybe because they simply aren't happy with their surroundings. China is a place where men are mostly respected instead of an equal balance of both genders and the women are the ones with the most education. I also feel maybe they just want to be appreciated more by men which is why they make up these stories in their head and become delusional enough to believe it is actually true. I've never heard of any woman that feel this way and where I live, women aren't killing themselves like Chinese women are so this is pretty surprising to me.  The women in China Town here in Chicago are pretty nice and the majority of them have a smile on their face when I walk into a shop so that also lets me know that my analysis could possibly be true. They are happier being away from their country then being there.

responding to 275-300

Please summarize the points Hessler is making about women in China in this section.  Then respond to what he's saying in terms of your gut reaction (thoughts and feelings) and your more considered analysis of what he's saying. 

The cultural differences weren't easy to adapt to for Peter Hessler.
I plan to upload more post soon.

100-150

 At the beginning of the page 101 I thought that the text described the area of wushan. I liked how it went into detail of what the future water level would be like. I think it is so sad to know that the people who live in that area will not have a home due to the water level that is to come. I couldn’t imagine knowing that soon my home will be washed away do to the increase of the water. Knowing that everything you grew up around would be gone and the people you surrounded yourself with would be moved. I think that hesslers activity of going and watching the 177m signs for a few minutes, as well as watching the people of that area with their daily morning chores was kind of sad. Because he knew that soon he would not be able to go and visit this area because soon it would no longer stand.

250-275

I thought that this particular assigned section was very interesting to read. There were some well thought out points regarding money. The section that stuck out the most to me was on page 266-267 it was a brief section talking about the Chinese stock market. This was a huge part of many people in china they invested so much time and energy constantly watching the stock market. “ They simply stared at the money as it raced across the boards.” People devoted so much time into the market. A particular instance that hessler was involved in on page 268-269 is when a former student Anne called him to tell him that her salary was as high as his she began to tell him of her successes and of a man that wants her to go to Hong Kong to make even more of a higher salary than she is now. Hessler asks her of this particular man and she states that he will help her find a job and make more money. It seems too me that the fat that this particular individual came into Anne’s life money has begun to be even more of a top priority even if it means moving completely and going with a man that she barely knows. My personal opinion about money is that it is a symbol of your hard workings being paid off rather it may be a home, an education, food on the table etc. I grew up in a very hard working family. My father taught hard working characteristics to me at a very young age. He came from a very poor family. He was forced into work instead of sports or hanging out with friends. Because he comes from such a hard working background he carries those traits onto his career today. He teaches me as well as my three other sisters to never settle and to follow your dreams and work hard to achieve them. He has proved to my family that nothing is impossible and that success can always be in our future. The people in river town I feel like they have a motive of trying to make as much money as possible with ought having any reasoning or purpose behind it.

The book is helping me observe more effectively at my site. I will be posting more soon.

200-250 (Sorry for being late)

Dear Mr. Salovaara,
(I just wanted to say that I'm very sorry that this is late. I know there are no excuses, but I still hope you accept this.)

I decided to choose the section about Hitler. I have to say, it was interesting how the Chinese people looked up to Hitler, but also liked the Jewish people as well. It was a little shocking to know that Hitler was admired by the Chinese. Reading this section did have me thinking a lot. I believe that because of their communist views, Hitler was seen as something else, rather than a threat. Now I know I'm not jewish, but I could see why Lindsey was disgusted by this section. I, along with a few other classmates, found this section of the book to be a little different. It was a little difficult for Hessler, along with myself, to understand what Hitler was capable of. Thinking about how the Chinese admired Hitler reminded me of a time when my cousin was dating this man from another country. He believed that Hitler was a good man, not because of what he did to the jews (he 100% disagreed with Hitler on that) but for what he did for my cousin's boyfriend's country. I guess in this world, everyone has a different view on people like Hitler. Some may think they're horrible and some may think they're heroes.

200-250

I chose to discuss the experience with  priest fuling. I thought that this particular experience really stuck out from most. I think it’s because of his hard dedication and loyalty to his community and his religion and devotion towards his beliefs. The fact that he puts aside all pains that he may be conflicting with and continuously offers help to his community and the people within, as well as carrying on his daily life of ministry is very intriguing to me. The pain from his kidneys never stops him and his work. I find it extremely inspiring that someone puts so many different people in front of them rather than caring for themselves. I am very inspired by the priest and his outlook on things.

250-275

The way Peter Hessler describes the Chinese and the importance of money to them makes them seem somewhat humble even though money is talked about a lot. For instance when he says on page 260 about how people in Fuling talked about money a lot but not in a greedy way but in a generous way made me think of how in America if money is talked about a lot it is usually with a billionaire or someone struggling with money, and yet we mainly see it talked about generously on talk shows like Ellen DeGeneres. I found it interesting how Peter spent the majority of his money on things he didn’t need and how it collected dust in a corner. I think it would be nice to have a luxury of being in a place like Fuling where even though in America it is not a lot of money but to the Chinese in Fuling you can do so much with what Hessler makes. Growing up I never truly thought about money until the summer before fourth grade, when I found out we could not afford sending my sister and me to private school. After a few years in public school I realized a lot of people (mainly immature middle school kids) liked to assume things because of some ones religion. Being a Jewish white girl going to a predominantly black school, people just assumed since I was my religion that I was rich; and my sister told me to not let them think otherwise. I didn’t understand why we should act like something we are not, it is true that a lot of our family friends lived in a nice gated community and they took numerous trips out of the country and a lot of my friends parents were doctors, but I never wanted to think I was anything less than them. 

My Response to 250-275

There seem to have been some good and bad points Hessler made about the Chinese and money. One thing I first found out was that Chairman Mao hated money. His father made a lot of money through being a landlord and this made Mao despise anything that had to do with it, yet he was considered a “poor revolutionary” (259). This section explains that money is something the Chinese spent much time thinking and talking about. They were afforded more opportunities and gaining it and spend it, but it still wasn't enough. The writer says, “Everywhere in Fuling that was what people talked about” (259). Everyone knew each other salaries and if you were wearing something new or simply had something new, you were asked how much it cost and the person told you. Mentioning money in Fuling was like a tradition for another place. One thing that was good and bad about money in Fuling was how they would try to impress their foreigners. Whenever Hessler would eat with students, they would pay the bill. I found this a bit odd because the students there were already facing tight finances, but this was apart of their culture. Hessler himself did not care much about money in Fuling. He made one thousand Yuan a month and that was relatively high as long as he did not travel much which he didn't.  Hessler says, “That was the one of the best aspects of life in the Peace Corps: my salary was so low that it was pointless to save money, but  my Fuling routines were so simple and cheap that I didn't have to worry about budgeting my expenses” (256). My own feeling about money is that I need it to live; I don’t live to need it. I wish the world could view money that way. If we all could there would be less killings and violence in the world. We all know that money is the root of all evil therefore people would do whatever they have to in order to have it. 

responding to 250-275

Peter Hessler has quite a bit to say about money in this section, describing the Chinese attitude toward money as something distinct maybe from American attitudes, as well as describing his own attitude toward money in the particular context of his life as a Peace Corps worker. 

Summarize the important points PH is making about the Chinese relationship to money, citing specific examples he uses. Also explain very briefly his own situation regarding money. 

Then, explain your own current feeling about money, as well as the prevailing attitude toward money in the culture you grew up with, considering both near-in culture and larger culture in this. Compare all of this to the prevailing Chinese feeling about money that Hessler describes. 

250-350 words

Adventure

I personal thought that when he went out for tea. Was a very interesting experience, and the reactions that the Chinese people gave him back. He rode a bike to the Xingqing Palace Park, he would get a cup of tea. He know that supposed that the government had a policy that if the temperature was to every raise about the average, that the government would give it people the day off. He say people reading the newspaper, talking about the temperature. He took it upon his self to ask what they thought would be the temperature tomorrow, if it would be hotter or cooler. Im guessing in a since to make conversation with them. But they rudely rolled their eyes as if he was some kind of joke. Telling him to go take a set somewhere and enjoy his tea. I see this relating to how people in are own city treat the homeless, when they are asking for money from us while we are walking down the streets. Many people walk right passed them as if they are some kind of disgrace to man kind and should not be out on the street asking for money. Personally inside are head we take them as some kind of joke.

Response 200-250

            I have to agree with Lindsey on this one.  I was very confused and turned off by that section in the book.  Knowing the around the 1940s and 50s China was a safe haven for Jews, it was weird to hear that the Chinese thought he was such a great leader.  At the same time, there have been many people in history that do say Hitler was a great leader and that is true.  Even though he was a disgusting, psycho killer, he convinced thousands of Nazis to kill.  He led the people though a tragic time in history.  I think it is hard for Peter, and anyone else for that matter, to understand that managed to kill that many people using brainwashed humans.  Maybe the Chinese admire that because of their communist ways.  Either way, this part of the book was very strange and I didn’t particularly enjoy it, even though I learned about more history.  I also took from the reading that other religions are not taken as seriously.  In the part of the book mentioning the little Priest, Father Li, it didn’t seem like they cared too much what he was doing.  I think this may have also been why the Chinese didn’t mind Hitler.  It didn’t affect them so why would they care?  Even though that is wrong, that is what they are told to do. 

The way Peter describes the way that the Chinese are fascinated and look up to Hitler repulses me, honestly. I feel like it is ironic how they also love the Jews; since Hitler tried wiping out all the Jews. Being Jewish and reading this section it was very confusing and I didn't enjoy reading it. It makes no sense to me how the Chinese can not only put Hitler at the top of the list of who they admire but that they put the Jews right below him at second! I do not think they fully comprehend the vulgarity of what Hitler did not only to the Jews but also to the homosexuals, handicapped, and gypsies. I believe that Peter Hessler is also intrigued as I am; I feel that the Chinese shocks everyone who knows what truly happened and what Hitler was doing and was capable of. Now I do understand we need to take into consideration that the Chinese are used to communism and dictatorship, but at the same time I cannot comprehend the fact that they still see him as an amazing ruler when he caused such destruction and genocide. The Chinese culture is used to a dictatorship but I do not think they fully see the effects it had on Europe and Jews along with the other minorities I had mentioned before. 

My Response to 200-250

The experience that I choose was the priests in Fuling. This experience is different from most than I personally heard of when dealing with priests. Priests, in the United States that is, are usually well taken care of and respected by their Catholic people. In Fuling, I can’t say that it’s quite the same. Now, I don’t know much about Catholics and Priests, but from Hispanic friends, I’ve never heard them speak badly about any of their priests. In River Town, Father Li was a Priest in Fuling for half a century.  He was a fragile and small man with many health issues such as knee and kidney pains and he walked with a cane. He wasn’t just any priest; he worked hard in serving his people and not to mention, he was an educated priest. Over time, things seem to have gotten bad. He was moved around, particularly to the North of Fuling (the countryside) and the people there did not have much to eat. He did not have with him his vestments, but eventually he returned back to Fuling, but not church because it was closed down.  He could not be a priest anymore therefore he worked on the docks mopping, sweeping, and cleaning. He continued saying the Mass to himself, but after the Great Cultural Revolution, that was taken away. The Red Guards turned the church into a sock factory and always watched him. This lasted at least three years and they also took Father Li out on the street for demonstration. Through all of this, Father Li managed to not turn bitter, yet behind the flash in his eyes was the pain of this event. It seems to be that Hessler is making known to his readers that Priests were not valued in the Chinese culture. Mao was the reason these things took place, “All of that was his idea” says Father Li. Because of this they do not respect him, but he manages to not be bitter and show any hatred towards him which is the significance of this experience.

responding to 200-250

In this section Peter Hessler describes, among other aspects of his experience:

the priest in Fuling
the Chinese view of Hitler
the Chinese view of Jewish people
an incident with a woman who approaches him a teahouse

Choose one of these, summarize Hessler's description of the item, and explain its larger significance for Hessler's picture of Chinese culture and his role as an observer of that culture.  (250-350 words)