Project Planning Week 4 - A sign of the times

- Think about a theme you see running through your life (failure is the best lesson, love is eternal, etc). Choose a reading that you think also discusses this theme (even if it reaches different conclusions about it). Explore connections between how the theme plays out in your life, and how the theme gets played out in the reading.
or 

- Choose a reading. 

In your project, consider the following: 

What does this work reflect about its historical, social, political and/or economic context? You may focus on race, class, power, cultural values and beliefs, historical events, the author’s biography, gender, psychology, etc. 

In my life I see a disconnect from peoples words and their actions. Which leads me to believe that they have no cognition or values to be seen. This overly strict moral standard that I hold myself to, is not reflected in the lives of others. And it is not only frustrating, but heart breaking. We see these conflicts arise in The Song of Ch'un-Hyang and in The Journey to the West. 

Journey to the West : The Monkey King is a (lit device) Allegory for the human mind. His wants and desires are the key to his existence. VS The Song of Ch'un-Hyang where her guide is her virtue and moral reasoning. 

The monkey wants to learn more, but wants to learn for his own selfish reasons. He wants to life forever, and will do what he must to meet this goal. 

The Tale reflects the religious virtues of the time. With the growth of Buddhism, we see that the Monkey king becomes a student of the teaching to reach everlasting life.  

This tale has historic roots but was morphed into a much more thrilling and whimsical tale. Probable to capture the interest of a wider audience and to convey the message of the religious/moral aspect in a non threatening manor. 

The Song of Ch'un-Hyang: Ch'un-Hyang will not bend to others way of thinking, as she believes she is right, in today's world it is much of the same. No one is willing to compromise. However, we see the difference between Ch'un-Hyang and people of today, as she uses logic and reasoning to discuss her beliefs. People today do not tend to be so dignified when they meet a disagreement. 

Ch'un-Hyang came under the era of Confucianism, another sort of religious practice. Although it did not worship a specific god, it did outline the moral teachings of several popular religions of the time. Its foundation was morality and the use or logic and reason.  

This shows the abuse of power and may have been used to say that the ruler of the time was not as bad as the governor that tortures our hero. It could also have been an inspiration to other women who were oppressed to stand up for themselves. As Chinese culture of the time strongly over powered the will of women. Women were expected to submit to all males and authority that was above them. So when our hero stays true to her morals and values, she is punished, but the ripple of individual strength was witnessed and felt by all who could see themselves in her shoes.