Message from sghoneim1

[Anonymous]

Chapters 4-6 struck me as a huge dichotomy between new and old. The cities he visits have such a rich history that has been replaced by industrialization or tourist traps. For example, "Jilin's amphitheater of pine-clad hills was fronted by factories like this, manufacturing poison against the prettiest backdrop of any Northeast city." The environment is being changed by the industrial factories that come to these small towns to make money and find new resources. Further support, "Fire destroyed most of wooden Jilin in 1930. Industrialization took care of the rest." The author here is showing how remnants of an old and classic city have disapeared not only by industrialization, but natural disasters as well. The author also explains the shift in societal structure, with students expected to study rather than take over for their parents in the fields. A new emphasis on education and urbanization is helping to change these countryside villages. He even describes a shift in the people that live in Wasteland in which they prefer to lease their land to sharecroppers while they pursue other capitalistic endeavors such as opening restaurants. It was fascinating to read about these changes that the author could see. I hope I can notice some of these changes, as I think this will play very strongly into the lesson plan ideas I have.