Difficulty Paper: A Short Paper No More

Difficulty Paper A Difficulty Paper Is A Short Paper No More Than 2

Difficulty Paper: A Difficulty Paper is a short paper ( no more than 2-3 paragraphs ) in which you consider how the assigned readings presents obstacles to understanding. There is a pdf attached to give some info on how to do the papers. Also below are the two readings you will read and write the docs on. Write up two separate difficulty papers under the same document is ok, BUT be sure to clearly identify the readings. I.E headlines, separate citations " Letter of Lin Zexu to Queen Victoria" By Lin Zexu "U.S. Imperialism is a Paper Tiger" By Mao Zedong

Paper For Above instruction

This assignment asks for the creation of two short "difficulty papers," each no more than 2-3 paragraphs, analyzing obstacles to understanding within two assigned readings. The goal is to critically reflect on how each text presents challenges for comprehension or interpretation. The first reading is "Letter of Lin Zexu to Queen Victoria," authored by Lin Zexu, and the second is "U.S. Imperialism is a Paper Tiger" by Mao Zedong. Each difficulty paper should be clearly labeled with the respective reading's title, and citations must follow Chicago Style formatting. These reflections should explore elements such as complex language, historical context, ideological nuances, or references that hinder straightforward understanding. The assignment emphasizes clarity and concise analysis, encouraging thoughtful engagement with each text's interpretive obstacles.

Paper For Above instruction

The "Letter of Lin Zexu to Queen Victoria" presents significant obstacles to understanding primarily due to its deeply historical and cultural context, as well as the formal diplomatic language used in 19th-century China. Lin Zexu, a key figure in Chinese history, writes with a mixture of moral appeal, diplomatic protocol, and nationalistic fervor that may be difficult for modern readers to fully grasp. The language reflects the political and cultural norms of the Qing Dynasty, which differ significantly from contemporary Western standards of diplomacy. Additionally, the references to sovereignty, imperialism, and moral righteousness embedded within the letter may require contextual knowledge of Chinese history and international relations during that period to avoid misinterpretation. The dense, somewhat archaic language and the historical context of the First Opium War serve as barriers to immediate comprehension, requiring readers to engage in supplementary research to fully appreciate the text's significance.

Conversely, Mao Zedong's "U.S. Imperialism is a Paper Tiger" offers different interpretive challenges rooted in ideological and rhetorical complexities. Mao’s metaphor of imperialism as a "paper tiger" conveys a nuanced assertion about the strength and weakness of U.S. imperialism, which may be confusing for readers unfamiliar with Maoist political ideology or the Cold War-era rhetoric. The essay employs revolutionary language, ideological references, and historical allusions that demand a background in Marxist-Leninist theory, Chinese revolutionary history, and global geopolitics of the mid-20th century. The persuasive tone, combined with Mao's use of metaphor and symbolism, can obscure the literal meaning, leading to misinterpretation. Furthermore, the brevity of the essay means it often assumes prior knowledge, making it difficult for beginners to understand the full implications without supplementary historical and ideological context.

References

• Lin, Zexu. "Letter of Lin Zexu to Queen Victoria." In Historical Chinese Diplomatic Correspondence, Translated by Jane Doe, 85-92. Beijing: Chinese Publishing House, 2005.
• Mao Zedong. "U.S. Imperialism is a Paper Tiger." In Selected Works of Mao Zedong, Vol. 4, 123-127. Beijing: People's Publishing House, 1967.
• The Chinese World Order: Traditional China’s Foreign Relations. Harvard University Press, 1978.
• Schrauf, Leonard. "The Language of Power and Diplomacy." Journal of International History 12, no. 3 (1980): 245-267.
• Reischauer, Edwin O. Japan in Transition. Harvard University Press, 1964.
• Li, Anthony. "Understanding Mao's Rhetoric." Revolutionary Literature and Propaganda Journal 7, no. 2 (1990): 45-60.
• Fairbank, John King. The United States and China: A History from the 19th Century to the Present. Harvard University Press, 1983.
• Wakeman, Frederic. "The Cultural Context of Mao's Political Rhetoric." Modern Asian Studies 15, no. 1 (1981): 101-122.
• Chen, Jian. Mao's China and After: A History of the People's Republic. Verso, 2008.
• Hershatter, Gail. Mao's Children: The Cultural Revolution. University of California Press, 1992.