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Confucianism & The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee Introduction: Confucius taught people to have respectful relationships that

keep peace in society and the universe. These relationships are generally based on a superior and an inferior. One is not really better than the other, but usually has lived longer and has more experience or more responsibility. Each has responsibilities to the other. Confucius said the superior is required to be good, wise and merciful, while the inferior partner is bound to obedience and respect. Because both have responsibilities to each other, the lower member is not required to do something they know is bad just because the superior tells them tothat would mean the superior had broken their obligation. Confucius taught that highest duty for anyone is to do what is right. Parent Child Husband Wife The Five Relationships Elder brother Younger brother Ruler Subject Friend Friend

Application: In the Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee, we follow a famous Chinese judge through some of his cases. At this time in China it was normal for the judge to do much of the detective work and then decide how the crime was committed and by whom before he decides on a punishment. If the judge was sure who had committed the crime, he could put them under torture to get them to confess, which was very important in the case. In the Judge Dee cases we see many relationships as Judge Dee deals with various members of society that participate in his court cases. He is a local magistrate, a judge who represents the Emperor in his district of China and must be fair and proper to those he serves. He must learn the truth in his cases and find justice for those who have been hurt.
~from Telitha Scofield Kingman High SchoolNorth Campus

You will work through this novel as part of a Literature Circle. Along with completing the assigned reading, you will also have an assigned role to fulfill. Points will be earned at each meeting. This process and discussion should also aid you in preparing for the final essay test.

PROMPT:
Through your Literature Circle and personal analysis note how the characters in The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee do or do not conform to Confucianism. Be sure to include direct references to some of the core values we have studied: Li, Ren, Xiao (look closely at the 5 Relationships).

Requirements: 4-5 pages MLA format at least 5, no more than 7 direct quotes from novel key terms from class notes/discussions: ren, li, xiao, filial piety, ancestor worship, etc work cited page (with at least novel present, other sources if applicable) Possible Organization Strategy:

Introduction~ Background Confucius (Confucianism) Bridge/Connect to Judge Dee Brief synopsis of plot Thesis Statement (clearly convey focus of paper)
lots of possible and correct ways to organize possibly 2 paragraphs

Body Paragraphs (at least 4-5 well-developed [8+ sentence] paragraphs)~ *devote a separate paragraph to select characters *devote a separate paragraph to specific values *devote a separate paragraph to each Confucian relationship Conclusion~ Sum up how Confucianism was reflected in novel AND comment on an aspects of Confucianism you see as beneficial or detrimental to contemporary American society Remember to use TRANSITIONS within and between paragraphs to help you and reader stay organized.

Transitions are words that show connection or relations between ideas. Addition words add information first one third another next finally additionally first of all last of all also second in additionlast moreover furthermore

Time words indicate when events occur first since afterward during after as often before then later second while in the past next following earlier

Contrast words indicate how things are different in contrast differ even though on the other hand however although despite nevertheless yet instead unlike but

Comparison words indicate how things are alike like comparable equal just as likewise identical similarly similar equally the same as in the same way

Illustration words indicate examples will be used for example for instance to illustrate such as once including

Cause and effect words present reasons why or results of something because consequently as a result lead to reason so thus cause therefore effect since

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