Exploring the Text

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

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    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)?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    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?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    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.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    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?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    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?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    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)?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    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?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    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?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    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.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    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?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    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?