Anna and the King: The Real Story of Anna Leonowens

Her story has inspired four screen versions and a stage play. Anna Leonowens is known throughout the world as the 19th century English woman who tutored the royal children of Siam. But what really was her relationship with the king and his wives and children? Who was this proper English widow whose adventures took her to exotic places in Asia? BIOGRAPHY takes a look behind the story and reveals a woman who defied gender conventions of her day and recreated herself over more than once. Anna and the King: The Real Story of Anna Leonowens would be useful for classes on World History, Asian History, Literature, Media Studies and Geography. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

OBJECTIVES

Students will learn about the true life of Anna Leonowens and how the mythic story of her relationship with the king of Siam evolved. They will explore the systems of 19th century colonization as well as 20th century political ideology.

NATIONAL HISTORY STANDARDS

Anna and the King: The Real Story of Anna Leonowens fulfills the following National Standards for History for grades 5-12: chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and interpretations, and historical research capabilities World History era 7.

• Apoplexy
• Deity
• Endeavor
• Exotic
• Harem
• Ignoble
• Indignant
• Persona
• Prestigious
• Squalor
• Stigma
• Tenacity

1. The story of Anna and the King of Siam has captivated audiences for over a century. What is it about this story that makes it so interesting? Why does it continue to be a part of popular culture?

2. Anna Leonowens was born in colonial India. Discuss the system of colonization of the 19th century, especially that of the British Empire.

3. What are the differences between the colonizers and the colonized? How are their lifestyles different? What are some examples of these differences?

4. Anna had a unique childhood in that she was well traveled. Discuss her childhood and its influence on her later life.

5. Anna's beloved husband died at an early age of apoplexy. What is apoplexy?

6. Anna Leonowens created the woman she presented to the world after her husband's death. How and why did she remake herself?

7. When Anna went to Siam (modern day Thailand) she took only her son and not her daughter. Why did she send her daughter to England instead of taking her along?

8. Discuss the strengths of King Mongkut as a ruler in the 19th century.

9. Discuss the gender inequities in 19th century Siam.

10. How did Anna teach her own principles and morals to the royal children of Siam?

11. Anna's experiences in Siam became popular because of the stories she wrote. Why did she write these stories? How did these stories cater to the tastes of popular culture in the latter half of the 19th century?

12. Anna was a woman ahead of her time. Discuss how she defied the gender conventions of her era.

13. How did the story of Anna Leonowens become a mainstay of popular culture in the 20th century?

1. View one of the cinema versions of Anna Leonowens' story. Compare the movie with the real life of Anna Leonowens. What is true? What is fiction?

2. Imagine that you lived in 19th century Siam. Research the history and culture of Siam (Thailand) and write an essay about what your life would be like.

3. Imagine that you are an editor for a newspaper in 1915. Write an obituary for Anna Leonowens. How would you present her life for your readers?

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Air Dates

• October 14, 2004