The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down Discussion

â€Å"The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down† Reader’s Guide Directions: Read the captioned book. Then answer the questions contained in this study guide. Post your completed document to the appropriate assignment box on the course website. 1. What do you think of traditional Hmong birth practices (pp. 3-5)? Compare them to the techniques used when Lia was born (p. 7). How do Hmong and American birth practices differ? 2. Over many centuries the Hmong fought against a number of different peoples who claimed sovereignty over their lands; they were also forced to emigrate from China. How do you think these up-heavals have affected their culture? What role has history played in the formation of Hmong culture? 3. Dr. Dan Murphy said,†¦show more content†¦Could this have been prevented? If so, how? What does the author believe? 14. The Hmong are often referred to as a Stone Age people or low-caste hill tribe. Why is this? Do you agree with this assessment of Hmong culture? Does the author? 15. What was the role loss many adult Hmong faced when they came to the United States? What is the underlying root cause? How does this loss affect their adjustment to America? 16. What are the most important aspects of Hmong culture? What do the Hmong consider their most important duties and obligations? How did they affect the Hmongs transition to the United States? 17. What does Dan Murphy mean by, When you fail one Hmong patient, you fail the whole community (p. 253)? 18. The author gives you some insight into the way she organized her notes (p. 60). What does it say about the process of writing this book? She chooses to alternate between chapters of Lias story and its larger background-the history of the Lee family and of the Hmong. What effect does this create in the book? 19. The concept of fish soup is central to the authors understanding of the Hmong. What does it mean, and how is it reflected in the structure of the book? 20. It is clear that many of Lias doctors, most notably Neil Ernst and Peggy Philp, were heroic in their efforts to help Lia, and that her parents cared for her deeply, yet this arguably preventable tragedy still occurred. Can you think of anything that might haveShow MoreRelatedAn Analysis Of Anne Fadiman s The Spirit Catches You And You Fall Down 1545 Words   |  7 Pagesus the story of how a Hmong girl suffering from severe epilepsy brought to light what happens when the American medical community fails to see patients as people whose cultural background is completely different from their own. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down tells the story of Lia Lee. Lia was barely three months old when she had her first epileptic seizure. Born into a large family, her parents, Nao Kao and Foua Lee, were Hmong refugees from Laos who didn t speak a word of English. WhileRead MoreThe Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman542 Words   |  2 PagesIn the novel by Fadiman, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, is written about two cultures and their differences: Hmong and American. The clash between these two cultures interferes with the treatment of a three-month child, Lia Lee, which has been diagnosed with epilepsy. Her parents’ think is actually caused by the spirits. When it comes to the treatment for Lia her parents prefer to treat her with their own particular ways and medications, like in the Hmong culture, instead of going forRead MoreNineteen Eighty Four By George Orwell Essay1601 Words   |  7 Pagestelescreen for a full two minutes, inciting rage all across the country), Winston catches the eye of an Inner Party member, O Brien, whom he believes to be a fellow conspirator against Big Brother because of an event he had dreamed up. He also catches the eye of a dark-haired girl from the Fiction Department, whom he believes is his enemy. A few days later, Julia, the same girl, secretly hands him a note that reads, I love you. Winston takes pains to meet her, and when they finally do, Julia draws upRead MoreThe Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down1993 Words   |  8 PagesThe Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down It is difficult enough to go to the emergency ward with a family member and speak the same language as the staff. The admitting nurse wants all insurance information, another nurse/secretary asks for injury/illness history and, meanwhile, the person who needs to see the doctor is waiting in pain. The stress mounts and communication becomes harder. Now, take that same scenario when someone in the ER does not speak the language or know the culture of theRead MoreWhy Hmong Families Left Laos1323 Words   |  5 PagesHmong families, like the Lees in the novel â€Å"The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down† have been immigrating to the United States since the end of the Vietnam War. The majority of the Hmong living in the U.S. are now located in specific cities and regions of California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (Lee and Green 2010). The Lee family moved to the Merced, California in 1980 and has had to adapt to life in a new host country (Fadiman 1997). Acculturation is used to describe how the culture of immigrantsRead MoreThe Christian s Acts Of Faith2105 Words   |  9 PagesWe’ve all been there before, searching for something to watch on TV, 500 channels and nothing catches our attention until we hear the yelling of the televangelist, â€Å"YOU JUST GOTTA HAVE FAITH! QUIT TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IT ALL! LET GO AND LET GOD!† For some that may be the solution they are searching for. They might be frustrated or let down by their own efforts of understanding. But does faith begin with â€Å"letting go (of reason and understanding) and letting God (reveal Himself to us)†? Is there anyRead MoreEssay about The Imagery of Fire in Virgil’s Aeneid3672 Words   |  15 Pagesof their fleeing ships and successful escape from the Greeks (I.75)1. Fire from the Greeks burns down Troy. Forced by necessity to flee for their lives, Aeneas can gain his fathers acquiescence only with the portent of two flaming omens. Cupid in the form of Ascan ius induces Dido with a fated love for Aeneas, consummated by their union in the cave. Jupiter with these words on his lips sends Mercury down to a lingering Aeneas at Carthage. Mercury, carry across the speeding winds the words I urge:Read MoreMadeleine Leininger s Impact On Nursing2485 Words   |  10 PagesWashington, Seattle (Tomey and Alligood, 2001). Early on in her career, Leininger’s contributions to nursing theory involve the discussion of what it is to care. She believes that there can be no cure without caring but there may be care without curing. She developed the concept of transcultural nursing. She brings the role of cultural factors in nursing practice into the discussion of how to best attend to those in need of nursing care.She defines care as the essence and the leading domain of nursing.Read MoreEssay on Dramatic Tension in The Crucible4287 Words   |  18 Pagesat her to get out. He then starts to sob and in his fear he starts to mumble to Betty to wake up, his feeling of inadequacy is expressed through his fragmented, disjointed sentences. ‘Oh, my God! God help me! Betty. Child. Dear Child. Will you wake, will you open your eyes! Betty, little one†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ He turns on Abigail and confronts her and through the conversation between Reverend Parris and his niece Abigail, the audience learns that the town’s girls, including Abigail and Betty, had engaged in activitiesRead MoreCorporate Law5339 Words   |  22 Pagesin the yard, but says it was only left there overnight and that he always intended to move it the next day. He says that, in these circumstances, he does not think he contravened the Act. You are asked to advise Alex whether to pay the $1,000 fine or defend the charge in court. You search the AustLii databases and find the Contamination Avoidance Act. The Act contains provisions dealing with various environmental issues. The relevant sections of this Act are as follows: