Perception of China

Extract

[...] Perception of China China is a vast country with a rich culture and profound history of social transformations. Through going on this trip to China, I hope to connect Becker, Wasserstrom, Pomfret, and Seybolt's perspectives of China with my own experience to paint an overall image of China. Through scrutinizing at these four books, I noticed that they all have unique perceptions of Chinese history and culture. Wasserstrom and Becker detailed the events that took place in Shanghai and Beijing, while Pomfret and Seybolt illustrated the Communist reforms in China. [...]

[...] When I arrive in Shanghai, I hope to connect Wasserstrom's ten unique theses on twenty first century Shanghai with my own perception of the city. Peter Seybolt's “Throwing the Emperor From His Horse: Portrait of a Village” has very notable accounts of the Houhua village during the 1990s. “Typical of most peasant houses in north China, the living quarters face south and form the northern border of a walled courtyard.” spirit screen and the framework for the gate are faced with ceramic tiles colorfully painted with birds, flowers, and depictions of traditional gods and heroes.” Even though the “spirit screen” was very famous in Northern Chinese peasant villages during the 1990s, I am not sure if they are still as popular nowadays. [...]