Monique and the Mango Rains” by Kris Holloway.

Order Description

The Short Essay is a reflection piece on your reading of “Monique and the Mango Rains” by Kris Holloway. The essay must be 500-750 words (equivalent to 2-3 double-

spaced pp.). It is due on MARCH 9 by 11:59pm. You can upload a file or copy and paste the text into the submission link. Please save a copy of your essay elsewhere in

case of technical problems.

Your grade for the essay will be based on:

1) the content of the paper and evidence of thoroughly reading and analyzing the book and 2) writing style (grammar, spelling and clarity of expression).

You must use SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM THE BOOK. When using direct quotes, please specify the page number in parentheses. You do not need to include the author’s name in

parentheses or a reference at the end of the paper because we know you are referring to Holloway’s book.

TOPIC:
Cultural relativism is the principle that an individual human’s beliefs and values must be understood in terms of his or her own culture. Family structure, gender

roles/opportunities and the sexual division of labor are areas of human culture that vary greatly in different parts of the world. Another area that varies greatly is

access to education and health care resources, as seen in the book Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway.

From a position of cultural relativism, discuss the situation of women in Mali in terms of their social, economic and health status in the community using the example

of Monique and other women described in the book. Explain how the author was able to integrate into this society and what role she played in the lives of the women.

The questions listed below are suggested to help guide your discussion of the topic. Be sure that your essay has a clear introduction, supporting evidence from the

book (with examples and/or relevant quotes). *Conclude the essay with your personal opinion of this book, what you learned from reading it, and whether you would

recommend it and why.

Issues to consider in your essay: (Note: You do not have to address every question below; these are provided to guide your thinking about the topic)

-What were the main responsibilities and expectations of women in Nampossela? What type of family structure and marital arrangements were the norm? What type of health

services were available to women in the village? What were some of the health risks women faced (e.g., in examples given in the book regarding childbirth, domestic

violence, and female genital cutting practices)?

-What were some of the key cultural and gender differences that American author Kris Holloway encountered in her work as a Peace Corps health volunteer in a small,

rural Malian community? Which differences did Kris learn to accept (from a standpoint of cultural relativism) and which did she challenge and why? What differences did

Monique learn about Kris’s American culture that surprised her?

-What were some of the values that Kris and Monique both shared and strove to implement in their work together in Nampossela? What challenges did they face? How did

their cross-cultural friendship ultimately change both of their lives?

“Monique and the Mango Rains” by Kris Holloway

Short Essay 2 is a reflection piece on your reading of “Monique and the Mango Rains” by Kris Holloway. The essay must be 500-750 words (equivalent to 2-3 double-spaced pp.).

Late papers will be automatically rejected in the system.

Your grade for the essay will be based on:

1) the content of the paper and evidence of thoroughly reading the book and 2) writing style (grammar, spelling and clarity of expression).

For this essay, you must choose 2 of the following 5 topics to discuss using SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM THE BOOK. When using direct quotes, specify the page number in parentheses. Include the question numbers before each response but do NOT include the question in your essay. Each response should be approx. one page in length.

*Conclude the essay with a final paragraph providing your personal opinion of this book and what you learned from reading it.

TOPICS:

1. What do you know about childbirth and childrearing practices in Mali after reading this book? What are the drawbacks and advantages to giving birth in Mali? What do you know of childbirth in the US? How is it similar to/ different from what happens in Mali? How do you think the birth process is culturally constructed?

2. Local customs and rituals are included throughout the book. For example, both the chickpea prophecy and the yeleworo prophecy come true. Why do you think the author included them? What are your views, now that you have read the book, about the importance of these rituals and the reality behind them?

3. Cultural relativism is the principle that an individual human’s beliefs and values make sense in terms of his or her own culture. Do you feel that certain values are universal and that all people should be encouraged to adopt them regardless of their culture? If so, name some of these values. What did both Monique and Kris share as values that they worked hard to implement despite their cultural differences? What were some challenges and achievements in their work together in Nampossela?

4. Describe some of the difficulties experienced by women in Malian culture in terms of their social status, health status and economic status. How did Kris cope with these differences as an American woman living in Mali? How did her presence in the village affect Monique and how did their cross-cultural friendship change both of their lives?

*5. If there is another specific topic in the book you would like to write about that, email or speak to the professor for approval first.

“Monique and the Mango Rains” by Kris Holloway

Short Essay 2 is a reflection piece on your reading of “Monique and the Mango Rains” by Kris Holloway. The essay must be 500-750 words (equivalent to 2-3 double-spaced pp.).

Late papers will be automatically rejected in the system.

Your grade for the essay will be based on:

1) the content of the paper and evidence of thoroughly reading the book and 2) writing style (grammar, spelling and clarity of expression).

For this essay, you must choose 2 of the following 5 topics to discuss using SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM THE BOOK. When using direct quotes, specify the page number in parentheses. Include the question numbers before each response but do NOT include the question in your essay. Each response should be approx. one page in length.

*Conclude the essay with a final paragraph providing your personal opinion of this book and what you learned from reading it.

TOPICS:

1. What do you know about childbirth and childrearing practices in Mali after reading this book? What are the drawbacks and advantages to giving birth in Mali? What do you know of childbirth in the US? How is it similar to/ different from what happens in Mali? How do you think the birth process is culturally constructed?

2. Local customs and rituals are included throughout the book. For example, both the chickpea prophecy and the yeleworo prophecy come true. Why do you think the author included them? What are your views, now that you have read the book, about the importance of these rituals and the reality behind them?

3. Cultural relativism is the principle that an individual human’s beliefs and values make sense in terms of his or her own culture. Do you feel that certain values are universal and that all people should be encouraged to adopt them regardless of their culture? If so, name some of these values. What did both Monique and Kris share as values that they worked hard to implement despite their cultural differences? What were some challenges and achievements in their work together in Nampossela?

4. Describe some of the difficulties experienced by women in Malian culture in terms of their social status, health status and economic status. How did Kris cope with these differences as an American woman living in Mali? How did her presence in the village affect Monique and how did their cross-cultural friendship change both of their lives?

*5. If there is another specific topic in the book you would like to write about that, email or speak to the professor for approval first.