Block+C+Journal+Seungwoo+Eun


 * 2/19/2009 Please take a couple of minutes to respond to this reading. What stood out for you? What do you think of it, is it exaggerated?**

There were many interesting facts in the packet. The discrimination of men and women, which was common back in the history, is also portrayed in the Korean history. However, the freedom of women before the adaptations of the Confucianism stood out for me because I thought women were always restricted. For example, women were free of their expression. They could be the heads of the family, inherit wealth and lands from the family, and be free when talking to men. One thing that was exaggerated was how the author describes women were not treated fairly. Though men had more privileges than women, the characterization seems like women were some kind of prisoners, which they were not because they also achieved what they wanted in life.


 * 2/23/2009 If rabbit is too smart for his own good, Owl is the Brain, and Piglet, Pooh...?**

Pooh represents a Taoist, who goes with the flow. Pooh never really thinks thoroughly, but views life very positive, and symbols the uncarved block. Piglet is very quiet and humble character who depends on other characters for answers; it is very unstable when coming down to making choices. Though Pooh represent a Taoist, Piglet is very vague because Pooh follows its instinct, whereas, Piglet is always unsure of what to do. Rabbit tries to solve everything with his brain, Pooh with his instincts and trust, and Piglet is afraid of expressing his ideas. Therefore, Piglet is somewhat a follower rather than a leader.


 * 2/26-2/27 The Tao says that the ruler should "rule by inaction" How do you make sense of this? Is it at all possible?**

When the Tao says that the ruler should rule by inaction, it means that the king or the emperor should not rule with absolute power because if they do, the society will eventually corrupt. The meaning of inaction according to the Taoism is that one should follow naturally and insights. There’s no right answer to what is the right way of ruling because there’s actually no answer to it in Taoism. Thus, ruling with instinct would be okay in sense of the principle, Tao. However, this is very unrealistic in governing the nation because it will only lead to corruption. If there are no laws, and no correct answers to questions, everyone will be chaotic in their own actions. There should not be a ruler if a society goes naturally because the ruler will just bring out conflicts, and show desires of powers.


 * Explain what right mindfulness and right concentration is. Do you see you can apply this to your daily life? Why or why not?**

Right mindfulness is about being aware of oneself and focused on what is going on at each particular moment, which involves clarity and precision. Right concentration is about focusing on objects or concepts as part of meditation to develop further personally. We must be completely absorbed with the present instead of the past or future and accept the things that they are, which is the principle. I can see myself applying these two concepts in my daily life because I am working really hard in present life, and focus everything on current events. However, this also rejects the idea of right concentration because everything I do if for the future. For example, studying for the AP’s and SAT’s is for the colleges, which will be my future life. We also look at the past events for any answers or choices to make because we learn through experiences.


 * In describing Japanese development, a British Professor in 1873 declared that he felt 400 years old by the end of the century. Explain the historical context behind this quote.**

The historical context behind the quote made by a British Professor in 1873 refers that the development of Europe over 400 years was reminiscent to that of Japan. This means that development of Japan as in economics, technology, and government has rapidly grown. The old British Professor is somewhat impressed with this quick and efficient development of Japan because none of the European nations have achieved as much development as Japan in such a short period of time. Furthermore, the quote states that Japan went through a lot of changes to modernize the nation. For example, the education has well developed that Japanese translated the whole series of Shakespeare, and knew about the English language. In total, the Japanese has succeed in their process of becoming modernized.


 * Japan had to Westernize or be destroyed.**

The Japanese had to modernize or they would be destroyed because of the fact that their technology was way behind when compared to those of foreign powers, especially Europe and America. When Commodore Matthew Perry came in with his stem boat, Japan finally realized how behind their technology is. At this point of time, Japan must have modernized or they would be destroyed by foreign invasions. For example, if Japan stayed the same and had unequal technology to encounter the foreign powers, they will eventually be one of the nations that is colonized the western powers. To avoid this kind of situation, Japan had to modernize; thus, they can be one of the leaders in the world, eventually conquering Asia. If Japan failed to modernize, Japan would be way different from what it looks right now.


 * What do you find most shocking about what you have read so far? How do make sense of such cruelty?**

I found out that the rape of women was very shocking because how would one want to continuously rape one another. For example, some of the Japanese soldiers actually enjoyed raping, which is very unethical and unmoral. There was actually a law that stated that Japanese soldiers or men in general were not allowed to rape women. However, the soldiers ignored that law and raped the whole civilians. To avoid any punishment, they killed women so that no one would talk about the rape. This cruelty could have happened because the Japanese thought that they were the superior ones over the others and the fact that they were conquering the place. The power of military is very fearful when we are looking at this way because one could do anything that is inhumane just like the example of rape.


 * Which would be more safer? To be on the Communist Party or the Non-Communist Party?**

In my opinion, I think it was safer to be a communist during the Korean War because of the intervention of UN on South Korea. The key aspect of UN’s intervention was to promote world peace. Therefore, if the North Korean civilians were captured, the UN would still treat them with humanity. There are some events where the UN actually created camps for the captured North Koreans. On the other hand, the North Koreans did not have any means of taking care of the South Koreans. The captured non-communists were compelled to be educated in communism and were treated brutally. Taking this into account, I believe that it was safer to be on the communism party than the non-communist party because of how I would be treated if captured.


 * Do the countries have an obligation to compensate each other for injustices done in time of war?**

If the issue is the viewed on a moral point, countries have an obligation to compensate each other for injustices done in time of war. However, countries rarely compensate for what it has done in the past. If compensation becomes an obligation, then, there would be a greater conflict on whether who started the war and the cause of the war. In conclusion, countries should judge within its nation whether it should compensate for injustices in time of war or not, but there should not be a universal law that states countries have an obligation because countries have its own rights.


 * Explain the meaning of "Shattered Faith" how does it relate to the story?**

At the time of the Korean War, it is evident that the clash between the North and the South caused civilians to lose hope in different aspects. For example, in Hongyoung’s case, she had to go to prison for several months when she was associated with people in the other party. It was interesting how she was arrested when she was also associated people who she didn’t really know. Because of this experience, Hongyoung lost her faith in the government. This further implies that there was no one to depend on at this time because everyone deceived everyone. Furthermore, the separation of family relationships also shattered faith. This relates to the story because Hongyoung loses her faith in different areas. However, it is ironic how she gathers those shattered faith and yearns for the last bit of hope.