Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan Flashcards
Q: Who wrote Beyond the Sky and the Earth:
A Journey into Bhutan and what is it about?A: The passage is an autobiographical travel memoir by Jamie Zeppa, a Canadian writer and teacher. It recounts her first impressions of Bhutan, where she moved to work as a teacher. She describes the landscape, culture, and people of Bhutan, emphasizing both its natural beauty and cultural uniqueness.
Q: What is the purpose of this extract?A
: The purpose is to inform and reflect on Zeppa’s initial experience in Bhutan, while also capturing the wonder and challenges of adapting to a different culture.
Q: How does Zeppa structure the passage?A:
✔ Introduction → Vivid descriptions of Bhutan’s landscape.
✔ Middle section → Details about Bhutan’s society, history, and lifestyle.
✔ Conclusion → Her emotional response and reflections on cultural differences.
Q: What are the key themes in Beyond the Sky and the Earth?A:
Cultural Differences & Adaptation – Zeppa contrasts her Western background with Bhutanese traditions.
Natural Beauty – Bhutan’s landscape is depicted as breathtaking and untouched.
Isolation & Remoteness – Bhutan is described as separate from the modern world.
Personal Growth & Discovery – Zeppa’s journey challenges her perceptions and broadens her understanding of the world.
Q: How does Zeppa present Bhutan’s landscape?
A: She uses vivid sensory imagery, listing features like mountains, valleys, and forests to emphasize the country’s untouched beauty.
Q: How does Zeppa use descriptive language?
A:
✔ Adjectives → “mountains rise abruptly,” “crisp air,” “soft green drumlins” (Emphasizes natural beauty.)
✔ Lists → “Mountains, more mountains and mountains again” (Creates a sense of vastness.)
✔ Metaphors & Similes → “Thimphu is a small, scruffy town” (Contrasts the city with the grandeur of nature.)
Q: How does sentence structure reflect her experiences?A:
✔ Long, flowing sentences → Capture the expansiveness of Bhutan’s landscape.
✔ Short, abrupt sentences → Reflect her initial shock and adjustment.
✔ Parallel structure → “Mountains, more mountains and mountains again” reinforces overwhelming vastness.
Q: What is the significance of ‘Mountains, more mountains and mountains again’?A
:
✔ Repetition → Highlights the endless, overwhelming nature of the landscape.
✔ Hyperbole → Makes Bhutan seem vast and unending.
✔ Reflects her awe → Captures her amazement and slight intimidation.
Q: How does Zeppa contrast Thimphu with the landscape?
“Thimphu is a small, scruffy town.”A:
✔ Juxtaposition → The natural landscape is majestic, but the town feels underdeveloped.
✔ Colloquial tone → Suggests informality and an unfiltered reaction.
✔ Contrast → Highlights the simplicity of Bhutanese urban life.
Q: How does Zeppa describe the people of Bhutan?
“The Bhutanese are a handsome people.”A:
✔ Direct and appreciative tone → Shows her admiration for their appearance and demeanor.
✔ Positive language → Reinforces her growing respect for Bhutanese culture.
Q: What literary techniques does Zeppa use to engage the reader?A:
✔ Imagery → “The crisp mountain air” (Creates a vivid picture.)
✔ Repetition → “Mountains, more mountains” (Emphasizes scale.)
✔ Contrast → Between Bhutan’s natural beauty and urban simplicity.
✔ Personal reflection → “I am overwhelmed.” (Creates a personal connection.)
✔ Sensory details → “The air is clean and fresh” (Engages the reader’s senses.)
Q: How does Zeppa use contrast to explore her experiences?
A: She contrasts the grand, breathtaking landscape with the small, simple towns, highlighting Bhutan’s remoteness and uniqueness.
Q: How does the passage reflect cultural differences?A:
✔ Describes how Bhutan differs from Western societies.
✔ Highlights her initial discomfort but eventual appreciation.
✔ Uses direct, honest reflections to engage readers.
Q: How does the passage reflect Zeppa’s personal growth?A:
✔ Starts with shock and uncertainty but transitions into acceptance and admiration.
✔ Her language softens as she becomes more immersed in the culture.
✔ Emphasizes the transformative nature of travel.
Q: What is Zeppa’s ultimate message?
A: She suggests that experiencing different cultures broadens perspectives and challenges preconceptions. She also emphasizes the beauty of Bhutan’s simplicity and traditions.
: Why is this extract effective?A:
✔ Blends personal narrative with factual details.
✔ Creates vivid images that immerse the reader.
✔ Captures emotional and cultural shifts.
✔ Highlights the transformative power of travel.
