BLOG POST NUMBER 3
The beauty of this book is really in how Mark was able to show an appreciation for Chinese culture while simultaneously using it as the punch line of his jokes. The tone is didactic but inquisitive. It is impartial yet satiric. Early in the book Mark says, "I'd been interested in China since I was thirteen. I had seen the television movie "Kung Fu" and decided right away that peace of mind and a shaved head were what I had always wanted” (17). He is unquestionably captivated by the beautiful chinese culture. That is why his retellings of different experiences are so fascinating. If he didn’t have the kind of respect towards the culture that he does, the tone would not work. Comedians tend to make fun of themselves in their comedy acts because we actually absorb many messages through humor. The same is true for Iron and Silk. The lighthearted tone allows the reader to be more open to new ideas and experiences. Humor also lets us relate to these experiences.
Review/Favorite Part:
Something that I admire in Mark was how he made his passion his biggest priority and moved to China to live a life where he could practice his art form, teach his classes and explore the cultural diversities that life has to offer. Mark’s biggest passion in life is martial arts and he also likes calligraphy and language. After first studying it in the United States for years he is able to be taught by the best in China. He develops his internal strengths, “qi” and “gong fu.” But in addition to following his passions, he learns about some inspiring beliefs that the Chinese have. They are dedicated and respectful people who are loyal to their friends and family. They are not arrogant and they punish any kind of disrespect. Also Mark meets people who change some of his views on life like when he met the fisherman who promises to by Mark his own fishing boat just because he is so honored that mark is his friend. This book just goes to show that every one of us has a story to tell. It starts with our ancestors and stops right now. Sometimes moving to a new place helps us appreciate the cultural diversity. That is why this book inspires me to travel and meet beautiful people like the people Mark met when he went to China.
I think an important part of success is going out and finding opportunities. Aria hit on this subject in the first sentence of her review. I, too, admire that Mark had the guts to go to another country and live his dream. I am so lucky to go to Drake High School, where the academics are great, and the baseball program is awesome. I plan on playing baseball professionally, so I am so lucky that I live near Drake. If I lived near a really terrible school for baseball, like Terra Linda, I would have to be like Mark Salzman and figure out how to go to Drake so I could have a brighter future in baseball. I think a huge lesson I got from the book is to be fearless in the pursuit of success and happiness. Yeah everybody! Go out and be successful like Mark Salzman!
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ReplyDeleteOwen and Aria are both hitting on a very important part of the story. Mark throws himself in the (metaphorical) deep end, traveling to a foreign country where he knows no one. He takes it upon himself to change his life. An example of what Mark did can be seen in the GSE club. By choosing to go to a South American country and live with a family you have never met before, you make a huge change in your life. You make new friends, and meet different people, leaving with a memory that will last you a lifetime. If people had more chances to go on grand adventures and discover themselves, I think that there would be a lot more people who knew what they wanted to do with their lives, whether it be here in the US or abroad.
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