Little Maxine: Post due Monday at 9:00 p.m.

Select one of the following:

1. Read the chapter "At the Western Palace" carefully. Outline what you believe are the central issues of ethnicity that this chapter in Kingston highlights. In other words make a list of problems, ideas and concerns connected to the issue of ethnicity that this chapter raises, and note the incidents which raise these issues. You don't have to summarize the incidents, just mention them. This question is asking for a list as an answer.

2. Why do we need the chapter "Shaman"? Why is it important for the reader to know about the life of Maxine's mother in China? She is not the protagonist of the text, so why does Kingston spend so much time providing such detailed development of her character? Explain.

3. Explain the ending of "At the Western Palace," which deals with distinguishing between the stories of the insane and the stories of the sane people. Re-read the last few pages of the chapter, and put what Kingston is saying about story in your own words. Then tell me why it's important please.

4. What types of things does Little Maxine have to do that shame her? Why do these things shame her? Why can't she refuse to do them? What do you make of this?

5. What are Maxine's major feelings throughout most of the last chapter? How do you know? What evidence do you have? Please cite. Do her feelings change? From what to what? Why?
Do human feelings change just because we find out about anothers' intentions? Explain.

What is your ethnicity?

Are you comfortable answering this question on a class blog?

Why or why not? What does this tell you about the word? Explain.

What have you learned about ethnicity from this exercise?