IAH 204 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Misanthropy
15 Jul 2019
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IAH 204 Lecture 3
Why does the Old Cat object to the building of the pool?
He makes a lot of claims and he says he loves the well, and having a pool would ruin
it. All of the townspeople will come there wearing bathing suits, and that would be a
ruin. He says they might as well wear nothing. He also says that the pool will dry up
the well. Basically, it is a sign of urbanization and Uncle Ah-sheng does not like it.
Do you think the Old Cat really loves that "piece of land"? Support your view with
examples from the story.
Yes, he is very traditional and loves the town the way it is. He thinks the pool will
change the townspeople and is a sign of urbanization.
Is this kind of mindset specific to the old timers? (Drowning of an Old Cat)
Yes, in the beginning, the old timers all sat around and talked about the past, and
ignored what would happen in the future.
Explain the significance of the children's laughter at the end of the story. (Drowning
of an Old Cat)
The children's laughter symbolizes that modernity has taken over tradition. While
the children are laughing and having fun at the pool, the old cat's funeral is in place
- no matter what the old cat did, modernity was going to take over anyway.
What do you think the author wanted to show with the story? (Drowning of an Old
Cat)
Modernity would have made itself into society regardless of what people tried to do;
either adapt to modernity or let it consume you (in this case, the old cat could not
adapt, so he died).
How is the "victory" of modernity over tradition portrayed? (Drowning of an Old Cat)
When the old man drowns in the pool, the old man represents tradition, and the pool
represents modernity.
Why does the Old Blind Man emphasize that he and the Lad are not beggars? (Like
a Banjo String)
They traveled place to place so that they could have a chance to play the banjo; they
play for the love of playing, not for money.
Document Summary
He makes a lot of claims and he says he loves the well, and having a pool would ruin it. All of the townspeople will come there wearing bathing suits, and that would be a ruin. He says they might as well wear nothing. He also says that the pool will dry up the well. Basically, it is a sign of urbanization and uncle ah-sheng does not like it. Support your view with examples from the story. Yes, he is very traditional and loves the town the way it is. He thinks the pool will change the townspeople and is a sign of urbanization. Is this kind of mindset specific to the old timers? (drowning of an old cat) Yes, in the beginning, the old timers all sat around and talked about the past, and ignored what would happen in the future. Explain the significance of the children"s laughter at the end of the story. (drowning of an old cat)
