PHOTOGRAPHY ESSAY
THREE CUPS OF TEA
Due dates: Friday, 3/ (alpha)
Monday 3/ (omega)
As an artistic project to accompany our study of literary non-fiction, you will be creating a photo essay to beautifully display your exploration of themes in this unit. You may photo anything or anyone you wish, but you must be able to tie your work to Three Cups of Tea or the writing from this unit.
Think about the central issues and questions that have been raised in this unit. Take one or several issues from our unit and explore them in this final project. To help you narrow down some topics or issues to explore, we’ve included a list of suggested topics below. Your work must show depth of thought and considerable effort. This assignment is worth 75 points so show off your talents. This is no time for half-hearted taping to lined paper ripped out of your notebook.
Other Requirements:
o Typed or calligraphy where appropriate
o Each photo needs to be accompanied by a short explanation of your work. Total typing should equal at least one page
o Include at least three references to Three Cups of Tea or other works we have explore in class
o You may work in pairs on this assignment but we will expect double the effort & double the thought.
Examples of topics:
What is success? What is greatness? What does it take to be a hero?
What is fate? Is our script written?
How do we tell our story?
How does one make a difference in our world today?
What is progress?
Quotes to inspire your work:
“When it is dark enough you can see the stars”—Persian Proverb
“We don’t envy your restless spirit”—Urkien Sherpa
“Greatness is always built on this foundation: the ability to appear, speak and act, as the most common man”—Shams-ud-din Muhammed Hafiz
“Trust in Allah but tie up your camel”
“There is a candle in your heart, ready to be rekindle. There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled. You feel it don’t you?”—Rumi
“Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. Patience achieves everything”—Mother Theresa
“When your heart speaks, take good notes”—Judith Campbell
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
3 CUps of Tea Final Discussion
Name(s):___________________________
3 Cups of Tea final discussion
With your group, respond to the questions below. Please be thorough in your resonses. Your group does not need to come to a consensus so you may represent multiple view points in the space provided. This will be graded so write legibly.
1. There is a telling passage about Mortenson’s change of direction at the start of the book: “One evening, he went to bed by a yak dung fire a mountaineer who’d lost his way, and one morning, by the time he’d shared a pot of butter tea with his hosts and laced up his boots, he’d become a humanitarian who’d found a meaningful path to follow for the rest of his life.” What made Mortenson particularly ripe for such a transformation? Has anything similar happened in your own life?
2. Relin gives a “warts and all” portrait of Mortenson, showing him as a hero but also as a flawed human being with some exasperating traits. Talk about how Relin chose to write about Mortenson’s character—his choice of details, his perspective, the way he constructs scenes. Is Mortenson someone you’d like to get to know, work with, or have as a neighbor or friend?
3. At the heart of the book is a powerful but simple political message: we each as individuals have the power to change the world, one cup of tea at a time. Yet the book powerfully dramatizes the obstacles in the way of this philosophy: bloody wars waged by huge armies, prejudice, religious extremism, cultural barriers. What do you think of the “one cup of tea at a time” philosophy? Do you think Mortenson’s vision can work for lasting and meaningful change?
4. Have you ever known anyone like Mortenson? Have you ever had the experience of making a difference yourself through acts of generosity, aid, or leadership?
5. The Balti people are fierce yet extremely hospitable, kind yet rigid, determined to better themselves yet stuck in the past. Discuss your reactions to them and the other groups that Mortenson tries to help.
6. After Haji Ali’s family saves Greg’s life, he reflects that he could never “imagine discharging the debt he felt to his hosts in Korphe.” Discuss this sense of indebtedness as key to Mortenson’s character. Why was Mortenson compelled to return to the region again and again? In your opinion, does he repay his debt by the end of the book?
7. References to paradise run throughout the book—Mortenson’s childhood home in Tanzania, the mountain scenery, even Berkeley, California, are all referred to as “paradise.” Discuss the concept of paradise, lost and regained, and how it influences Mortenson’s mission.
8. Mortenson’s transition from climbing bum to humanitarian hero seems very abrupt. However, looking back, it’s clear that his sense of mission is rooted in his childhood, the values of his parents, and his relationship with his sister Christa. Discuss the various facets of Mortenson’s character—the freewheeling mountain climber, the ER nurse, the devoted son and brother, and the leader of a humanitarian cause. Do you view him as continuing the work his father began?
9. Mortenson hits many bumps in the road—he’s broke, his girlfriend dumps him, he is forced to build a bridge before he can build the school, his health suffers, and he drives his family crazy. Discuss his repeated brushes with failure and how they influenced your opinion of Mortenson and his efforts.
10. The authors write that “the Balti held the key to a kind of uncomplicated happiness that was disappearing in the developing world.” This peaceful simplicity of life seems to be part of what attracts Mortenson to the villagers. Discuss the pros and cons of bringing “civilization” to the mountain community.
Pros Cons
11. Much of the book is a meditation on what it means to be a foreigner assimilating with another culture. Discuss your own experiences with foreign cultures—things that you have learned, mistakes you have made, misunderstandings you have endured.
12. Did the book change your views toward Islam or Muslims? Consider the cleric Syed Abbas, and also the cleric who called a fatwa on Mortenson. Syed Abbas implores Americans to “look into our hearts and see that the great majority of us are not terrorists, but good and simple people.” Discuss this statement. Has the book inspired you to learn more about the region?
3 Cups of Tea final discussion
With your group, respond to the questions below. Please be thorough in your resonses. Your group does not need to come to a consensus so you may represent multiple view points in the space provided. This will be graded so write legibly.
1. There is a telling passage about Mortenson’s change of direction at the start of the book: “One evening, he went to bed by a yak dung fire a mountaineer who’d lost his way, and one morning, by the time he’d shared a pot of butter tea with his hosts and laced up his boots, he’d become a humanitarian who’d found a meaningful path to follow for the rest of his life.” What made Mortenson particularly ripe for such a transformation? Has anything similar happened in your own life?
2. Relin gives a “warts and all” portrait of Mortenson, showing him as a hero but also as a flawed human being with some exasperating traits. Talk about how Relin chose to write about Mortenson’s character—his choice of details, his perspective, the way he constructs scenes. Is Mortenson someone you’d like to get to know, work with, or have as a neighbor or friend?
3. At the heart of the book is a powerful but simple political message: we each as individuals have the power to change the world, one cup of tea at a time. Yet the book powerfully dramatizes the obstacles in the way of this philosophy: bloody wars waged by huge armies, prejudice, religious extremism, cultural barriers. What do you think of the “one cup of tea at a time” philosophy? Do you think Mortenson’s vision can work for lasting and meaningful change?
4. Have you ever known anyone like Mortenson? Have you ever had the experience of making a difference yourself through acts of generosity, aid, or leadership?
5. The Balti people are fierce yet extremely hospitable, kind yet rigid, determined to better themselves yet stuck in the past. Discuss your reactions to them and the other groups that Mortenson tries to help.
6. After Haji Ali’s family saves Greg’s life, he reflects that he could never “imagine discharging the debt he felt to his hosts in Korphe.” Discuss this sense of indebtedness as key to Mortenson’s character. Why was Mortenson compelled to return to the region again and again? In your opinion, does he repay his debt by the end of the book?
7. References to paradise run throughout the book—Mortenson’s childhood home in Tanzania, the mountain scenery, even Berkeley, California, are all referred to as “paradise.” Discuss the concept of paradise, lost and regained, and how it influences Mortenson’s mission.
8. Mortenson’s transition from climbing bum to humanitarian hero seems very abrupt. However, looking back, it’s clear that his sense of mission is rooted in his childhood, the values of his parents, and his relationship with his sister Christa. Discuss the various facets of Mortenson’s character—the freewheeling mountain climber, the ER nurse, the devoted son and brother, and the leader of a humanitarian cause. Do you view him as continuing the work his father began?
9. Mortenson hits many bumps in the road—he’s broke, his girlfriend dumps him, he is forced to build a bridge before he can build the school, his health suffers, and he drives his family crazy. Discuss his repeated brushes with failure and how they influenced your opinion of Mortenson and his efforts.
10. The authors write that “the Balti held the key to a kind of uncomplicated happiness that was disappearing in the developing world.” This peaceful simplicity of life seems to be part of what attracts Mortenson to the villagers. Discuss the pros and cons of bringing “civilization” to the mountain community.
Pros Cons
11. Much of the book is a meditation on what it means to be a foreigner assimilating with another culture. Discuss your own experiences with foreign cultures—things that you have learned, mistakes you have made, misunderstandings you have endured.
12. Did the book change your views toward Islam or Muslims? Consider the cleric Syed Abbas, and also the cleric who called a fatwa on Mortenson. Syed Abbas implores Americans to “look into our hearts and see that the great majority of us are not terrorists, but good and simple people.” Discuss this statement. Has the book inspired you to learn more about the region?
Thursday, March 13, 2008
3 Cups Final Reading Assignment
Name:______________________________
3 Cups of Tea final reflection
Respond to the following quotes:
First, respond in the context of Three Cups of Tea. How does this quote relate to the story.
Second, argue whether you agree or disagree and explain why.
1. “When it is dark enough you can see the stars”—Persian Proverb
2. “We don’t envy your restless spirit”—Urkien Sherpa
3. “Greatness is always built on this foundation: the ability to appear, speak and act, as the most common man”—Shams-ud-din Muhammed Hafiz
4. “Trust in Allah but tie up your camel”- hand lettered sign in Skardu
5. “There is a candle in your heart, ready to be rekindle. There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled. You feel it don’t you?”—Rumi
6. “Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. Patience achieves everything”—Mother Theresa
7. “When your heart speaks, take good notes”—Judith Campbell
Respond to the following questions within the context of Three Cups of Tea. You may include your own opinion but for full credit use examples from the book to support your thoughts. I know these questions are huge but give them a shot. You may attach additional paper if needed.
8. What is success? What does it take to be a hero?
10. What is fate? Is our script written?
11. A book club had the following to say about 3 Cups of Tea: “While no one could argue the merits of what Mortenson accomplished, several in our group felt the style of this book was biased and self-serving, lacking in any objectivity. For us, this lead to a rousing debate about the state of "nonfiction" in today's writing.” Respond to these thoughts and your own opinion of what “nonfiction” writing should look like.
12. How does one make a difference in our world today?
13. What is progress?
3 Cups of Tea final reflection
Respond to the following quotes:
First, respond in the context of Three Cups of Tea. How does this quote relate to the story.
Second, argue whether you agree or disagree and explain why.
1. “When it is dark enough you can see the stars”—Persian Proverb
2. “We don’t envy your restless spirit”—Urkien Sherpa
3. “Greatness is always built on this foundation: the ability to appear, speak and act, as the most common man”—Shams-ud-din Muhammed Hafiz
4. “Trust in Allah but tie up your camel”- hand lettered sign in Skardu
5. “There is a candle in your heart, ready to be rekindle. There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled. You feel it don’t you?”—Rumi
6. “Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. Patience achieves everything”—Mother Theresa
7. “When your heart speaks, take good notes”—Judith Campbell
Respond to the following questions within the context of Three Cups of Tea. You may include your own opinion but for full credit use examples from the book to support your thoughts. I know these questions are huge but give them a shot. You may attach additional paper if needed.
8. What is success? What does it take to be a hero?
10. What is fate? Is our script written?
11. A book club had the following to say about 3 Cups of Tea: “While no one could argue the merits of what Mortenson accomplished, several in our group felt the style of this book was biased and self-serving, lacking in any objectivity. For us, this lead to a rousing debate about the state of "nonfiction" in today's writing.” Respond to these thoughts and your own opinion of what “nonfiction” writing should look like.
12. How does one make a difference in our world today?
13. What is progress?
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