Exploring the Text

1. According to Kyoko Mori, what are the major differences between the Japanese and American educational systems? Summarize them.

   Chapter 5 - School - Exploring the Text: According to Kyoko Mori, what are the major differences between the Japanese and American educational systems? Summarize them.
2. Why does she place the phrase “the real world” in quotation marks (para. 1)?

   Chapter 5 - School - Exploring the Text: Why does she place the phrase “the real world” in quotation marks (para. 1)?
3. What is the effect of Mori’s introducing Japanese terms, especially ronin (para. 6), at the beginning of the essay?

   Chapter 5 - School - Exploring the Text: What is the effect of Mori’s introducing Japanese terms, especially ronin (para. 6), at the beginning of the essay?
4. Does Mori’s reliance on personal experience limit or enhance her analysis? Explain.

   Chapter 5 - School - Exploring the Text: Does Mori’s reliance on personal experience limit or enhance her analysis? Explain.
5. What does Mori mean by the “romantic notion of the natural writer” (para. 23)? To what extent do you believe that writing skill is a matter of “natural” talent?

   Chapter 5 - School - Exploring the Text: What does Mori mean by the “romantic notion of the natural writer” (para. 23)? To what extent do you believe that writing skill is a matter of “natural” talent?
6. What is the “paradox” that Mori refers to in paragraph 30?

   Chapter 5 - School - Exploring the Text: What is the “paradox” that Mori refers to in paragraph 30?
7. What is Mori’s purpose in including her cousin Kazumi’s experience (paras. 36–39)?

   Chapter 5 - School - Exploring the Text: What is Mori’s purpose in including her cousin Kazumi’s experience (paras. 36–39)?
8. Describe the arrangement of this essay. At the most general level, it is organized as a comparison/contrast, but it is made up of eight sections that are separated by space within the text. Would you say that this structure is governed more by logos or pathos?

   Chapter 5 - School - Exploring the Text: Describe the arrangement of this essay. At the most general level, it is organized as a comparison/contrast, but it is made up of eight sections that are separated by space within the text. Would you say that this structure is governed more by logos or pathos?
9. Apart from the fact that her book is written in English, how do you know that Western readers are her audience?

   Chapter 5 - School - Exploring the Text: Apart from the fact that her book is written in English, how do you know that Western readers are her audience?
10. How would you describe Mori’s attitude toward Japan in this essay? Is she sympathetic? Harsh? Ambivalent? Cite specific passages to support your response.

    Chapter 5 - School - Exploring the Text: How would you describe Mori’s attitude toward Japan in this essay? Is she sympathetic? Harsh? Ambivalent? Cite specific passages to support your response.
11. How does your own experience in school compare with Mori’s as she describes it in paragraphs 15–19?

    Chapter 5 - School - Exploring the Text: How does your own experience in school compare with Mori’s as she describes it in paragraphs 15–19?