1. Discuss how gender issues became racial issues by the turn of the 20th century in China. Please share with us your views on how racial and gender issues are related. You can discuss any culture or personal experiences.
2. In your view, what was the appeal of militant nationalism to China and other parts of Asia (e.g. Japan & Korea) at the turn of the 20th century? How do you think Asians and Westerners might perceive militant nationalism differently?
3. In your view, what was the appeal of militant nationalism to China and other parts of Asia (e.g. Japan & Korea) at the turn of the 20th century? How do you think Asians and Westerners might perceive militant nationalism differently?
4. How do you think the notions of slave mentality and complacency affect Chinese and foreign perceptions of China? Do you think the West is still holding onto these beliefs about China and Asia?
5. Today, we talked about how Enlightenment and Confucianst thinking marginalize women while claiming to be universally valid. Please discuss ways in which the rhetoric of universality potentially marginalizes and disadvantages different social groups. You can discuss any culture from any time period.
6. Many Chinese poeple would argue that you can’t “truly” understand writings like the Golden Cangue unless you know Chinese and Chinese culture very well. In your view, what are some elements of the Golden Cangue that are international? What might be some elements that are very specific to Chinese culture and beyond the grasp of foreigners? Through this fiction, do you think Eileen Chang can be considered an international author with the potential of an international market? Or is her writing too specific to Chinese culture for her to go international like Lu Xun?