On Tuesday we watched a video called “Banana Split” to tie into our book of the week because it was by the same author Kip Fulbeck. Banana Split followed some of the same ideas about growing up Chinese American with a white dad and a Chinese mom. One of the stories told in Banana Split was the same as a chapter in the book about his experience on a date with a Chinese woman. In the afternoon we watched a film called “Birth of the Dragon.” In theory this film is a story about Bruce Lee and his fight against Wong Jack Man. However, in a confusing and troublesome move, the movie ended up focusing heavily on a white guy named Steve McKee trying to liberate a single young Chinese woman from her captivity among other young women who were smuggled into America. From a stylistic standpoint it was intriguing, drawing some influence from older martial arts films. Overall content-wise it was a little disappointing.

On Wednesday we took the time to have a final peer review session on our papers. Having a chance to go through my essay one last time really boosted my confidence. I was feeling a bit nervous going in, but Jane and Bridget talked me out of my tree.

On Friday during seminar we discussed “Paper Bullets” by Kip Fulbeck. Overall this book is looked at as a coming of age novel. That being said, I and many of my peers found the first two thirds of the book to difficult to get through. Much of it discussed women in such a way that was both troubling and offensive. However, after the discussion I looked at the book in a slightly different light. Both because of what one of my peers said about the author attempting to create a character that was unlikable in order to show growth over time, as well as what Kris said about separating the author from the character portrayed.