#406 The Gentleman: Su Dongpo

Sources check in:

• Point to “Sources and Suggestions for Further Reading” in Wills

Student presentation (Shine Peng)

Background: World of the Song (Google Slides)

Discussion:

Our goal is to examine how some of these trends were reflected in the life of Su Shi (Su Dongpo), particularly how men were marked as successful at this time and reflect on what that might have meant for the notion of “masculinity.”

• What are some characteristics that would have marked Su Shi (Su Dongpo) as an impressive man for his times?
• Look closely at the passage about the examination system on Wills, 155-56
  • Is there an equivalent today—in U.S. or the society that you are most familiar with?
  • How might the nature of this type of exam be similar or different?
• What types of talents did he possess? How do we go about differentiating markers of “success” as markers of social status or gender?
• Is it different to talk about gender in relation to males than it is in relation to females? Why or why not?
• One student mentioned that he might be considered “boring” in comparison to a figure in a Shakespeare drama figures from similar periods in European history (imagine the tale of a Crusader, for example). Do you agree with that suggestion? Why or why not?

Anticipate:

• How should we sort through the last several sessions in preparation for Tuesday’s unit assessment?