Dana:

 

PART 1:

Conventions of a Biography (Non-fiction)

• Usually in chronological order
• Based on true events
• Can be written in the form of a diary
• Has characters, a setting, like a novel
• Narratives, little stories

Literary conventions of the Pillow Book

1. Narrative elements (mini narratives)
2. Series of anecdotes
3. Personal reflections

Questions:

1. What things seem to matter to the writer?

Propriety matters to her, appearance of others, nature, animals, compassion, poetry.

Culture, literature, poetry, clothes -> appropriateness.

Categorizes things - catalogues her opinions- extensive details.

People's behaviors, etiquette, pompous ness

Sei shonagon : competitive, critical, straightforward, judgemental, confident, accepting*

2. What does the reader learn about attitudes and lifestyles of the times?

Common folk are illiterate, class distinction, literature played an important role in their lives, differences between men and women. Infidelity isn't frowned upon/shunned. Extremely detailed culture. Communication is segregated between men and women (main ay of them communicating is poem).

3. Can you make any generalizations about Japanese culture in terms of a) nature, b) love, c) literature or poetry, d) language, e) other

A) nature is glorified in the Japanese culture (know the names of all the mountains, rivers etc). Associate nature and symbols that are included in everyday life

B) love is mainly expressed through poems. They don't believe in monogamy. Love is a very private matter between lovers.

C) literature is the biggest distinction between classes (depending on how educated they are in poetry). Intelligence is measured by how familiar they are with works of poetry.

D) formal language, good dictions, very structured.

E) tradition, convention, not very innovative

Nature is representative of abstract concepts -> symbolism.

Language -> influences ones intelligence or status

Calligraphy = valued

Cultural values and conventions *

PART 3-4

• Summarize the anecdote

• What are the indications of the importance of language, voices, handwriting and hearing to be important?

• What comment does she make on men/women relationships?

• What are the indications that she feels empathy and appreciates kindness?

P206 [246]: "to be comforted when you're feeling low, by someone you truly love"

P211 [257]: "someone you love is praised by others, and some high ranking person comments that his talents are not inconsiderable"

• The importance of being accepted?

P225 section s29: she fears that some of her foolish remarks could strike others as excessive and objectionable.

P226: she feels that people may criticize her book for not living up to their expectations and only going to prove the limits of her own sensibility.

"Judged on a par with them [the other books]"

P207 [248]: "being disliked by others is really a most distressing thing". Reveals her need of acceptance and it's importance and relevance to her.

IB LEARNER PROFILE

• Knowledgeable:

Links between Chinese and Japanese culture

She is knowledgable of poetry

balanced range of disciplines, etiquette etc.

• Thinkers

For her, saving face was a complex problem.

When people were criticizing her, she wrote a poem about her reputation

Problems: how to save face, reputation, wants acceptance.

• Communicate

She knew Chinese

Communicates through poetry

Orally

Her writing the diary is an indication of her ability to communicate

• Principled

Don't have dignity for all classes, only high class. Rejects low class.

Very conscious of the divisions of class.

Sympathetic to the empress or women who are always cheated on

Feels women aren't always treated fairly by the men ( get a sense of her fairness or justice )

Problem with tadanobu, goes beyond what normally appears to be superficial.

Follow through with her snow theory

• Open minded

Not open minded,

We don't know how she treats other communities. The book doesn't portray enough other communities for someone to judge. However, towards other individuals etc..

• Caring

Towards women who are cheated on, and towards the empress and tadanobu.

Not towards others, selective caring.

• Risk takers

Snow mountain, went on a limb

Man comes to the door, could not handle the situation

• Balanced

Balanced according to her society

Not part of society's expectations

Entire society wasn't balanced because its based on sedentary activist

• Reflective

Indubitably

She has some traits that apply to it, but not all, so she doesn't fit into the ib profile.