Comparative Questions?

  1. In each of the documents in this chapter, the question of national identity is addressed either implicitly or explicitly. How does the author of each document take up the question of nationalism? What national identities are mentioned or described, and how?
  2. How is nationalism presented as a positive or negative force in each document? Who is commenting on the value of nation and nationalism in each document, and what relationship can you identify between the author’s identity and his or her views on nationalism?
  3. How is nationalism connected to modernity in each document? How is nationalism linked to Western identity or Western ideas?
  4. In Documents 29-4 and 29-5, we see Asian political and intellectual leaders attempting to define national identity for their countries. Compare and contrast the writings of Jiang Jieshi (Document 29-4) and King Vajiravudh (Document 29-5). How do the authors’ identities, the themes used to define and promote nationalism, and the use of foreign or Western ideas converge or differ in each text?
  5. Lord Balfour (Document 29-2) and Sarojini Naidu (Document 29-3) represent the United Kingdom and its colony India, respectively. How do their writings reflect their position as imperial power or colony? Does any commonality of theme or purpose link them? On what do Balfour and Naidu agree, if anything?

Walter F. Vella, Chaiyo! King Vajiravudh and the Development of Thai Nationalism (Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1978), 140, 211, 245.