Initial Beliefs about China

Before this semester, I knew quite little about China. The problem is I try to avoid watching the news as much as possible. it only brings bad events up nothing good. Therefore, if I know anything about China prior to this class it is due to classes, TV shows, disney movies, or word of mouth. Honestly, the first two things that come to my me when thinking about China is the Disney movie Mulan and the TV show Seinfeld. 


I watched a lot of Seinfeld growing up so this episode stuck in my head the most. When I first watched it I think the only thing that came into my head about China, is how I now knew how chinese people act and what they look like. now looking back at this clip I can see the little things of how they tied the Chinese culture into this episode. For example how the guy who walks in gets a table right away, this shows that the Chinese think they are more superior than us and believe in great bonds. Also when that guy walks in, he states " boy does it smell in here", that is an example of a stereotype for the Chinese.

Mulan being a disney movie,also shaped my childhood. In the Mulan film I recognized that family is a huge priority in China.  Also the other thing i realized was how HUGE China was as a whole. I could see right off that China had a Huge society.  When watching this film I of coarse wasn't comparing China and the United States because I was so little. But now looking back on this film, what I got out of it were there appearances, their morals, and an idea of how big the country was.

teachwithmovies.org

From this picture one can tell a lot. The viewer can see the strength in Mulan's eyes. You see the motivation to win this battle. When looking at appearances their faces have the same bone structure, and their in the back you can tell that those men will have her back. In my opinion, this movie demonstrates how morals are important to the Chinese, they follow the rules, but also fight for what they want. 

What I wish to learn more about via our trip to China is the food. I want to know what they eat, and what their cultural norms are. Such as normal stuff, internet access, how they get their food, going to the bathroom etc. Also it would be interesting to expand more on their education and beliefs within that. I am guessing Oracle bones will touch on that a little bit more.