Term 2 grade-fixing/make-up prompt (minor)

Term 2 grade-fixing/make-up prompt (minor)



Read the lyrics of the traditional folk song below.  Jeongseon Arirang is generally considered to be the original version of the popularly known Korean song Arirang.  Is it better to lead a worldly life, or to leave the secular world and follow a spiritual way?  Why?  Write an argumentative essay of ~500 words. Include at least one quote from the song, and 3 strong and reputable sources of evidence.   Be sure your essay is proofread and attractively formatted. Upload.

Jeongseon Arirang      [link]

一
The Kumgang Mountains are in Gangwon Province.
Around the Great Temple of the Bear are many small pagodas.
There is a small pagoda on top of each of the twelve-thousand peaks of the mountain range.

二
There is a woman who lives in Gangwon-do. She wants a son.
But she has never born a child in this life.
She prays for a son at her house alter for one-hundred days...
    — to no avail.

三
There is a man.  He keeps a shop in a remote village of Gangwon-do.
He is a loner.  
He suffers many difficulties in life...
    — really, he has no interest in anything.

四
These worldly eyes see only sadness and misery.  Arirang, arirang, arariyo...

五
The woman runs away and climbs over the mountain peak.
Crossing the high and dangerous mountain, through many thorny bushes, she then follows the stream flowing through the valley,
"I have come through all these obstacles alone — I have come all this way to see the truth, but still I don't see it!"

Statues stand in front of the small pagodas on the mountain peaks; she resolves to light candles at each one of them.
She can now bring her hands together to pray...
    — and prays sincerely.

六
The man leaves the secular world.  And lives according to the scriptures.
He wanders from place to place,
"The spiritual life is different from the secular one — I am struggling to practice this arduous discipline!"

But soon his mind becomes cleaner and clearer.
He can now recall old memories, and they do not trouble him...
    — and watches the sunset without worries.