East Asian Literature

Crazy Rich Asians is about Rachel Chu, a Chinese-American professor, who visits Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick Young, and learns he comes from a super-rich family. She struggles to fit into his world, facing judgment from his strict mother and high-society pressures. The themes are love, family, and staying true to yourself. In the end, Rachel’s journey is about more than love—it’s about finding her own place between tradition and modern life. How does the novel represent 21st Century Asian literature?

• It explores identity, cultural expectations, and modernity through Asian characters in a contemporary setting.
• It emphasizes traditional values over modernity in Asian culture.
• It portrays Asian characters in a historical setting rather than a contemporary one.
• It focuses solely on the wealth of Asian families without exploring identity.

Which is NOT a characteristic of 21ST Century Literature in Asia?

• blending of traditional and contemporary literary styles

• fast-paced storytelling, and dialogue filled with modern slang and internet culture

• emphasizing personal and professional experiences

• keeping the strict ruling of patterns in poetry and prose

Which is NOT part of East Asia?

• Mongolia

• China

• Korea

• Malaysia

How does Taoism influence Chinese literature?

• By emphasizing strict social order and hierarchy.

• By promoting balance, nature, and spontaneity in storytelling.

• By focusing only on historical records and political themes.

• By rejecting mythical and supernatural elements in writing.

Which philosophy did NOT greatly influence East Asian classical literature?

• Buddhism

• Taoism

• Confucianism

• Jainism

What makes the movie the Wandering Earth an example of science fantasy?

• It blends advanced scientific concepts with fantastical elements.
• It features only mythical creatures without science.
• It is a documentary about Earth's future.
• It focuses solely on realistic space travel.

What makes the movie the Bleeding Steel an example of science fantasy?

• It combines advanced technology with fantastical elements.
• It is a documentary about real-life science advancements.
• It features only realistic characters without any technology.
• It focuses solely on historical events.

SPECULATIVE FICTION: High Technology + REALITY= SCIENCE (a)  

SPECULATIVE FICTION: High Technology + UNREAL = SCIENCE (a)  

SPECULATIVE FICTION: FUTURE + perfect WORLD = (a)