Social Reform Question

English 10 Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress Book Social Reform Questions

1. What is the structure of social reform?

Social reform can take many forms. The broad definition of social reform is just attempting any change in society. However, a narrower idea of social reform casts it as a slow movement, by the peasants, to change a small part of society. In Mulan, social reform is spearheaded by the girl who ignores families traditional customs, becomes a man, and joins the army. There is no large change, just a single girl aiming to change the structure of society. She goes of and takes it upon herself to change the way society operates from the bottom up.

2. Are there merits to social reforms?

Of course. For example, Mulan changes the idea of the Chinese that women stay at home and do not join the army. This increase in women's rights is beneficial. In addition, because the movement comes from the bottom, it is likely to have the support of the people, thus perhaps better then simply a law imposed by the king. Social reforms throughout history have changed bad conditions around the world. They usually are the basis of changing what is wrong in the world.

3. Is it inevitable, chosen and/or enforced? Why?

A question on the final

Two with a possible third apply. Social reforms come up at the request of the people. Eventually the people will become sick of their position, and the opposition too weak to hold back the reforms. That is not to say that they will not happen without support. However, society will support them if they are needed. And thus they are chosen by the people to happen. Could they be enforced, yes, but then under the limited definition, would they be social reforms? That is questionable. But changes to the society can definitely come from the top down and be enforced.