The Flowers of War is one of the books that aligns with the syllabus for IB Chinese A Paper 2 that we study. The story is based on the Nanjing Massacre, so last week, we took an educational trip to Nanjing. During the trip, we visited The Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre, which provided us with a deeper insight into the book's descriptions. This experience greatly enhanced our understanding of the book and facilitated the analytical process. Additionally, we visited Wuyi Lane, a location referenced in the book.
Students’ Testimonials:
This experience left an indelible mark on us. The visit to the Memorial of the Nanjing Massacre was particularly poignant. The letters left behind and the filmed scenes conveyed the profound sense of despair and helplessness among the people during the massacre, as their homeland was invaded, and they endured both physical and emotional agony.
During our Mandarin trip to Nanjing, we had a truly enjoyable experience exploring significant sites such as the Nanjing Massacre Museum and the Confucian Temple. These visits deepened our comprehension of the book we had studied in class.
Our Chinese trip took us to Nanjing for a day, allowing us to gain a more contextual understanding of the book we are studying at. The visit to the Memorial of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre provided a detailed historical account of the events, leaving me profoundly moved. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the entire trip.
After a lengthy and challenging journey that lasted approximately four hours, we finally arrived in the capital city of Nanking. One of the primary objectives of our trip was to visit the Nanking Massacre Museum, a solemn testament to one of the most horrific human tragedies in Chinese history. This museum serves as a commemorative site for the tragic events that unfolded during the Nanjing Massacre in 1937.
The museum's significance is intricately linked to our literary studies, particularly our exploration of the theme of war as depicted in the novel "The Flowers of War." The exhibits and historical accounts within the museum consistently evoke deep emotional reactions, prompting individuals to empathise with and reflect upon the immense suffering endured by the victims.
Article by Sophie Yang
