My Response

It was not very shocking to me that the play Don Quixote was an issue; everything that the students decide to do becomes an issue some way somehow, but it was still disturbing. In plays or in real life in general, politics are everywhere, it’s nothing you can really do about it, but accept it. The students were pretty upset, and me as a Musical Theatre major I would have been as well. To work so hard on a performance and then have the department basically tell the students it’s all in vain would have crushed me. You work so hard during the process with allowing yourself to be free in your chosen character just to lose it all. Hessler was also fed up about how the department was so caught up in the politics and twisting history to make everyone believe it is something wrong with everything they do.  After the commotion was settled and the department came to their senses, the play was allowed to be performed again.  It is understood that both Adam and Hessler had a great influence on the students, but there is no way I would have felt bad for that the way they did. The students ended up not performing as well as they did the first time. This wasn't a surprise for me; I probably would have felt the same way. They were discouraged too badly so their confidence has been lowered. Reading this part of Hessler really saddened me; only because I can relate in so many ways.

375-400 in Hessler

 Choose one of these topics and respond in 250-350 words:

In this last section of River Town, there are quite a few feelings/emotions that Peter Hessler describes, both his own and those of other people.  Choose some of these and describe them in your own words, and then describe how reading about them makes you feel yourself. 

or

Choose one "example" that Peter Hessler develops from his experience, in this section of the book.  Explain what the example is and describe the way in which Hessler develops analysis and thought about that example.  How is his method similar to and different from your own way of developing your own essay? 

325-350

The beginning of pages 325-350 talking about peters father coming to visit him. It did not really start off well, it began with the hotel people barging in scaring him and his father while they were sleeping during the night regarding something to do with their passports, which aggravated his father especially because he was jet lagged. Secondly the boat ride, which was five hours long and the fog/mist, was so strong that you could not se any of the sights that peter wanted his father to see. For two days his poor father was unable to get any sleep in fuling because of all the noise and people and language. The trip did not go very well unfortunately. When adams parents visited It was rather similar situations, but I feel that peter learned from his mistakes when his father visited so he was able to change game plans to make the trip much more enjoyable and beneficial for Adams parents. However with both peters father and adam’s parents I feel like their were both ups and downs. Personally I feel that with any trip there are ups or downs. Either weather sickness or complications upon arrival there is always bound to have a big trip have so negative aspects of it, its bound to happen I feel like.

300-325

In response to 300-325 I believe the scene with the shoeshine man and peter caught me off guard a little bit. I think it was completely unlike peter to get that upset and start fighting with someone like the shoeshine man, however I think it was a very smart part on peter to stick up for himself and not take any sort of bulling from the shoeshine man. This scene I think really showed that peter let a different sort of character out and proved that he was not going to let a bully push him around like the rest of the people that the shoeshine bullied. The fact that he stuck up for himself was a very nice side to see of peter. But in my opinion peter and the shoeshine man were both in the wrong because in the end nobody wins in a situation like this. The shoeshine mans character shows that eventually someone is not going to take his bullying and that he will be faced with a confrontation like he faced with peter. The way I respond to these reflections affects my identity because they are my personal opinions. They reflect my thoughts and feelings towards each situation.

Response to pages 325-350

It’s always tricky when parents come into town to visit.  When Hessler’s father visited, I felt like it was very difficult for him.  Right off the bat, the hotel was causing problems due to the whole passport issue.  It made me angry that because they are American, they are treated so differently.  When Chinese people come to America, for the most part, they are not treated differently but rather with respect.  In addition, Hessler’s father got sick.  From personal experience, nothing is worse than getting sick when you travel.  It was a shame that by the time he was completely better, he had to turn around and go back.  I think there was more success in the story with Adam’s parents.  Adam’s parents tried to find something to do right from the beginning to enjoy their stay and be busy.  They idea was a lecture with the college students.  As soon as I read that this was their plan, I was a little nervous because from previous readings, Chinese are not that respectful to Americans.  This was different though because they were students.  Mr. Wang also thought it was a bad idea and did not make it easy to plan or deal with.  What made these pages worth reading for me was that they students showed up even though the class was canceled.  They had a productive lecture and was totally worth it.  I think Hessler is showing different aspects of Chinese culture because of the issues with the hotel but also the positive results of the lecture. 

My Response

When Hessler father came to town, things started off okay, but went downhill from there. The hotel they stayed at wasn't very pleasant to Hessler’s father because they kept coming to check for passports and miscalculations from Hessler caused a long boat ride for them both. Through the sight seeing, worst to worst came and Hessler’s dad got sick. It had only been two days since he’s been there and already he was unable to do anything. After a while, Hessler’s dad finally healed up a bit and Hessler took him around some more. Once that was over, he went back home. Adams parents came and it had some similarities, yet still a tad bit different. They made some of the same mistakes Hessler made, but immediately came up with something to get into once they arrived; a lecture with the college students. When trying to plan out the meeting time with Mr. Wang, he kept putting it off as if it was a bad idea and this is when things began to feel uncomfortable. He made it seem as if it would be uncomfortable for the students because Adam’s parents are American, but this did not stop them because they knew the real issue to begin with was politics. Once the class was set, Adam cancelled it. Although the students were free to leave, they stayed and actually enjoyed the lecture with Adam’s parents. This definitely made their trip worth it. Around this time, Adam and Hessler both began to become dreary of all the political restrictions. Hessler avoided any cadres and stayed away from anyone that could possibly make him feel any worst about China. It just wasn't a good time. 

response to 325-350

Explain the difference between the visit of Peter's father and the visit of Adam's parents.  What is Hessler showing about Chinese culture in this section?  Please respond in 250-350 words. 

Response to 300-325

            Everyone has a different level of tolerance.  The situation that happened throughout these pages revealed something about Hessler, he isn’t perfect.   The shoeshine man was winding him up but making rude comments and giving him a hard time.  The book revealed the shoeshine’s identity as a judgmental local who hassles American people such as Hessler.  I think what really got to him was the comment the shoeshine mad made about his work of teaching.  That’s a deep insult and unfortunately, he let it get to him.  Even thought the shoeshine man started it, I do not think Hessler handled the situation correctly but it was understandable. However, I do think that he could have handled himself better than he did. Of course we all try to keep calm and handle the situation the best way possible but that is not always the case.  When things start to build up, anyone is more susceptible to blowing up and making a scene.  I have respect for Hessler that he did all of these things throughout his career in China.  It’s not easy to just get up and go and dealing with rude locals who think they know better can be hard because you are the minority.  

My Response to 300-325

This situation between Hessler and the Shoeshine man simply reveals that Hessler is human.  Although Hessler was known to have more patience and tolerance before, he snapped back at the man; this in my opinion was understandable, but I believe he could have handled it differently. I felt the Shoeshine man was plain ignorant. His comment about Hessler not being needed in China and his boldness shows he has an anger issue. If it were me in this situation, I would have tried my best to remain calm and just ignore the man by walking away, but I am human as well; I can’t say that I wouldn't have snapped back , but I would have done it in a different way. I would have told the Shoeshine man he has no reason to disrespect me or anyone else in that manner and actually gave him some things to think about. Hopefully Hessler learns from this experience and allows no one else to get the best of him again. I've been taught that test you fail in life, you must repeat and this would be absolutely no fun to repeat. Hessler is a nice guy and has no reason to be mistreated, but be also has to know and understand that everyone isn't the same.

300-325

 The incident with the shoeshine man revealed a lot about Peter. Even though Hessler realized what he did and what he was doing was not in his nature, or what he was taught to be in school. He let the little shoeshine man get to him, even though the man started it and took a direct hit at the things Peter hates the most. Eventually he knew he should have sympathy which I believe he should to but he doesn't show it to the man and walks away kind of gloating by not making eye contact as if he is better than him. The shoeshine man is a bully being put in his place, it seems like he did not expect for Peter to respond the way he did and to go on "feared" or acknowledged by everyone as someone they do not want to associate with. You could tell that the shoeshine man was embarrassed but to much of a man or had to much pride to step down. I am always the bigger person in fights or arguments, I always think ten steps ahead of what could happen if I say or do something. Even if someone pushed my buttons like that I wouldn't be harsh or immature. But I do understand how he had been going through these types of encounters for a while and I most likely would have acted the same after a long period of time.

responding to 300-325 in Hessler

What does the incident with the shoeshine man reveal about Peter Hessler's identity?  What does it reveal about the identity of the shoeshine man?  How does your own identity affect the way you respond to these questions?  Please answer in 250-350 words. 

250-275

Anna Levy

Hessler reacts to what he sees.  It is clearly stated that women do not have the same rights as men.  They are looked down upon in a certain manner in which the women know to behave.  If a woman disobeys the men do not hesitate with punishment in anyway.  Hessler talks about how more women commit suicide.  It is not surprise because of the way they are treated.  They are brain washed and made to think they are worthless and only useful if they are told what to do.  The fact that these women are tricked into believing stories about themselves that are not true really does make them insane.  How could they not stick up for themselves?  It is just part of their culture and that’s the way it is.  Hessler does not really explain why they feel like this but there is no need for explanation.  It is so sad to know that people in the world feel this way and are under other peoples rule. 

275-300

        In the section 275-300 the key points that hessler made about men were very intriguing to me, especially the comment about class, and labor regarding the length of their pinky nail. the reason behind males having their pinky finger nails so long symbolized that they were at the social class of not having to do manual labor. To me this is such a strange way of showing that, and i would have to agree with hessler that it looks absurdly feminine. another key point was that money is way more of a male equity, and women were less likely to go into a business or find independent jobs. women have less opportunity to become independent and successful. In the Chinese culture money is meant more for men. the culture that we are in here in the U.S is much more different then the Chinese culture. women have just as much as the right to independence as well as success as men do, and learning about the culture in china and how women do no have much of a choice at all is degrading and very sad. i could not imagine my life being that way and living in a culture where women do not have any rights.