Message from skelly

[Anonymous]

If we are supposed to learn from the past (a questionable assumption since cultures seem to repeat the errors of previous centuries), then perhaps as a teacher I should learn from the Qing dynasty how long term advancement is achieved via development, not expansion. Of course, the Qing were successful for centuries, and I could continue to expose my students to the same, European literature for yet another year of their short educational lives. But perhaps instead I should develop their awareness of Asian culture and literature. How many times do they need to read Frost, Whitman, Poe, Shakespeare…. Oh dear, this could be painful. Poe’s dementia is SO much fun to share, and Shakespeare ain’t called the Bard for nuthin’.

The Qing dynasty fell because the emperor failed to foretell the future; the industrial revolution was rising on his western border, but he was still looking east. Well, these past two weeks have given me a glimpse into the future, and I don’t have to visit an oracle or crack any bones to realize that I MUST direct my students’ gaze towards Asia.

The first sentence I wrote this morning was, “The key to Qing longevity was accommodation.” My curriculum must accommodate Asian awareness. But I don’t want to lose the distinctiveness of the European literary masters, either – one drawback of the Qing policy. Perhaps the answer is a combination of expansion and development is the answer. By relying on familiar ideas and texts (expansion) to introduce Asian philosophy and literature (development), I can enjoy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Raven, AND The Tale of Genji.