Ursule Mirouet

From the narrator's point of view, Four Eyes lent him the book because it was thinnest one of them all. That means it would be read faster and returned sooner so he would not get into any trouble. The story is a significant meaning for the friends for it tells them of things they would never get a chance to experience while they are still being "reeducated" but from reading that book they were motivated. This affected them and soon Luo was getting together with the seamstress all because he read that book.

Storytellers

He is right about the status of the storytellers in our society. People don't gather around telling others stories anymore. Although it is sometimes done at like camp, where everyone gathers at the campfire to tell stories, it isn't done as a natural thing anymore.

With the new age of technology, there is no need for storytellers anymore. They are now being replaced by books. Books are more efficient at storytelling because you don't have to find a person who knows the story to tell you about it. People can now experience the joys of the stories through books in the comfort of their own homes.

My parents and grandparents are storytellers. I remember during my childhood, they would tell me stories about their past. Its not just their past but also about other fantasy like stories. Its more effective to tell stories because people can express the feelings that go along with the story. Also, they could improvise as they tell the stories making them more interesting.

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress Questions

1. Who is Jiang Jieshi?
2. What happened to Luo's father? Did he die...?
3. Why did Luo not cry for his father?
4. How long ago was it when Luo's father was punished for speaking about Mao?
   
5. Where were they before being sent to Phoenix Mountain?
6. How educated were the friends?
7. Did the narrator's violin get destroyed when they were sent off to be "reeducated"?
8. Who did the narrator learn violin from?
   

King of Masks

When learning about Chinese culture, I expected to see many different things. I was not disappointed to find out it was true. I knew boys were wanted more than girls but I never expected the parents to abandon their child like that if it was not the one they desired. I can't even imagine how hard it was for the girls but watching the movie, "The King of Mask", brought some light into my world. The hardships the girls have to go through just to survive each and every day.

The way things are passed down in the family also has to do with the boys. I know they want the males to pass on the family name but why can't the women be taught as well? Its a new a bizzare experience for me. There are many questions I still have from watching the movie.