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Three Cups of Tea Theme of Man and the Natural World

Americans are often discouraged from traveling to certain foreign countries because of danger, and in Three Cups of Tea, Pakistan and Afghanistan are that kind of dangerous. With terrorist sects like the Taliban patrolling the region, it's not a safe place for anyone.

However, even without the Taliban, Pakistan isn't going to be anyone's top vacation destination. The country itself—the sharp mountains, the fierce winters—isn't rolling out the welcome wagon any time soon. And for this theme, it's this humbling natural world this is our focus.

Questions About Man and the Natural World

  1. How do Mortenson's survival skills as a climber serve him well on his mission to build schools?
  2. How does Pakistan's climate make Mortenson's mission difficult?
  3. What are some of the harsher conditions Mortenson has to adapt to? What does he have the most trouble with?