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Recommended: How culture collides

Mahesh Murag
Borelli Lit/Writ
20 January, 2014
Prompt: How do cultures collide and what effect does this clash have on an individual’s identity? How do generations collide and what effect does this have in an individual’s identity? How does the fact that an individual might have more than one heritage affect their lives and the way they are treated in society?
Effects of Differing Cultures and Generations on Individuals
An individual’s introduction to a second culture leads them to re-define their identity and adapt in order to fit the traditions and behaviors of both cultures. Stephen experiences this in The Samurai’s Garden, a novel by Gail Tsukiyama, as he realizes he must change in order to continue living peacefully between the disparate Japanese and Chinese cultures. While he grows up within Chinese society, his temporary relocation to Japan requires Stephen to learn and adapt to the Japanese culture. Additionally, having multiple heritages affects one’s life and place in his or her community. Stephen’s partially Western upbringing influences his lifestyle and the way people view him and his family. Finally, differing values between generations lead many of the characters in the book to question what kind of lifestyle they would like to lead. The clash of different cultures and generations has an effect on a person’s identity and position in society as it forces them to adapt their values to be accepted.
The disparity between cultures in one’s life creates conflict which they must adapt to in order to be a part of both cultures. When Stephen is sent to Japan to recover from tuberculosis and stay protected from Japanese raids in China, cultural conflict is very apparent in his family. While his mother and siblings re...

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...osing cultures or generations. Varying rituals, customs, and lifestyles of different cultures can force an individual to transform in order to adapt to society’s expectations. Stephen realizes he must change to fit the lifestyles of both China and Japan in order to embrace his conflicting backgrounds. While his mother and siblings expect him to maintain a Chinese lifestyle, his stay in Japan causes his identity to change. In addition, his character and place in society are defined by the heritages he has grown up with. Finally, differences in the values and beliefs of generations can cause an individual to either follow the paths of the older generations, or create their own paths and disappoint others. Characters in The Samurai’s Garden all reflect this; while they are all expected to agree with their predecessor’s choices, in the end they make their own decisions.

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