In order to effectively discuss Fadiman’s The Spirit Catches You, and You Fall Down, familiarize yourself with the following:
• The Lee Family
• The Hmong people
• The events in Laos
• The Viet Nam War
• Immigration experiences
• Language issues
• Poverty Issues
After familiarizing yourself with the above topics, answer the following prompts.
1. The truce that stopped the war in VietNam was signed in 1975. What was the impact of this event on your parents or other family members?
2. Imagine a “cultural confrontation” such as this in any setting – schools, housing, economic, politics, or daily life. What would you do?
3. This situation contributes to an overall theme: “The DESPIRITUALIZATION of Modernity”. Have you seen manifestations of this in your daily life?
