After the Moroccan woman asks what Easter is, the class beings to attempt to explain to her the holiday. Given the language barrier, the class had great difficulty articulating exactly what Easter was, giving “bits of information that would have given the Pope an aneurysm” (Sedaris 490). This hyperbole was written to signify how poor the class was doing in giving respectfully religious and adequately crafted information about the purpose of the holiday, so much so that it would have been “fatal” for the Pope, who represents and preaches the religion. By including such a hyperbole, the author provides the reader with a vivid description of such problems the class encounters with the language barrier, which is another cultural isolator that
In this article, Rue provides his readers with his own definitions of religion and myth. According to Rue, “Religion… is that which binds together, that which ties a community into a coherent bundle or unity, that which gives identity to a culture.” In Rue’s opinion, religion is anything that brings communities and cultures together. This means that religion does not
The focus of this paper is an analysis of the book Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas using concepts from the Lives Across Cultures textbook. Ten concepts are identified and defined from Chapter readings. Following definitions, examples from the novel of these concepts are shown.
Fictional characters are persons that, when enlivened through careful, skillful writing and articulate literary elements, are incredible and relatable figures in any thoughtful novel. In Under The Feet of Jesus, the vibrant and distinct character of Estrella is thoroughly expressed as a young and passionate girl who struggles with her understanding of things that aren’t familiar— such “foreign alphabets” and Perfecto’s tools. Estrella is consumed in these emotions towards things she doesn’t understand, or know for sure, and expresses her moods without restraint. Helena María Viramontes, the author of Under The Feet of Jesus, uses selection of detail and figurative language to further develop this same iron-willed and impassioned character
In the majority of stories we read, authors use literary elements such as setting, plot, or point of view, to try and illustrate their ideas and views, such as political views. In our short story unit, we have read many stories whose authors each define culture using different literary elements like the aforementioned ones. In “Saint Chola”, K. Kvashay-Boyle uses literary elements such as symbols, character, setting, and language, to develop cultural ideas about not only one culture, but three different cultures. She develops ideas about Muslims, Americans, and the sub-culture of junior high students in America. While developing ideas about these three cultures, Boyle also
In Helena Maria Viramontes’ Under the Feet of Jesus, a young girl struggles to find importance and meaning in anything that she does or is ‘wanting’ to do. Additionally, her not being able to understand the language of this country, she struggles to understand and find meaning to things she does not yet understand. The protagonists’ character begins to slowly comprehend and unearth meaning in a simple tool box, which is a mere representation of herself; as she then tries to learn new things, causing her character to grow significantly. The author uses a strong selection of detail, figurative language and macaronic language in order to show the growth of Estrella’s character.
Every Culture has a set of rituals that they partake in, that are often constructed over a long period of time. Simple Actions, and special moments contain so much meaning and make everlasting memories. All rituals despite the locations they originate from, or the location they are carried out in contain the same components, they are repetitive, symbolic, remind a certain group of people about their values and beliefs, and these rituals commemorate a significant moment. For example christians commemorate the birth of christ by attending mass, and many other cultures celebrate this moment in many different ways that have in depth symbolic meaning. In the book “Guests of the Sheik” by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea rituals play a major role. Fernea’s husband Bob is an anthropologist studying the occupants of a small village named El Nahra and their culture. Fernea has documented her experiences, and adventures, and her perspective of the many rituals that the townspeople participate in such as, Ramadan, Muharram, weddings, and pilgrimages. In Muslim culture pilgrimages are immensely important and can even lead to an elevated status. Such as the pilgrimage to Mecca. Fernea is able to participate in a pilgrimage to Karbala with a couple of the towns women she had befriended. The Pilgrimage to Karbala is a symbolic, and cultural ritual in the aspect that it is reenacted every year, and is full of symbolic meaning, commemorates an important occasion and reminds a culture about their
In the third grade, I remember bringing noodles to lunch, and all of my white classmates looking at me strangely. Little did I know, Americans did not bring noodles to lunch, but rather simpler things, such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and lunchables. Although my introduction to the western culture was nothing as close to the Ibo people’s introduction to the western culture, it is clear that different cultures often have a hard time understanding the customs of another culture. Okonkwo’s response to new western influences spreading through his clan depicts how the introduction of different cultures can lead to disagreement because of contrasting religious values and customs.
The excerpt from “Under the Feet of Jesus” by Helena María Viramontes illustrates a young girl named Estrella who, in learning to read, transitions from ignorant and flustered to competent and analytical. Viramontes displays this character development by using selection of detail, figurative language such as imagery, and tone that correspond with Estrella’s experiences and situation.
The word culture means way of life of the people, thus the society, the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a group of people that differentiates them from another group of people. It is the overall attitude, customs and beliefs that distinguishes one culture from another. Culture is something that is actually transferred from one generation to another not through genes but through language, material objects, rituals that we daily perform, through institutions and through art and drama. For example greeting guests by kissing both cheeks with hugs and serving Arabian tea with dates is in Arab culture. In this essay I will be discussing about cultural encounters that have been shown in the literary works and specifically throwing light upon
Before 1979, Marjane had attended a French non-religious school where boys and girls had studied together. In 1979, the revolutionaries call for a “Cultural Revolution” in which bilingual schools should be closed because “They are symbols of capitalism.” The people are depicted as agreeing
An AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) is defined as enlargement of at least 3 cm of the abdominal aorta. The majority of abdominal aortic aneurysms begins below the renal arteries and ends above the iliac arteries. The exact cause of (AAAs) is unknown. However, it is thought to be due to a degenerative process of the abdominal aorta caused by atherosclerosis. Artherosclerosis represents a response to vessel wall injury caused by inflammation, genetically regulated defects in collagen and fibrillin, increased protease activity within the arterial wall, and mechanical factors (Stoelting p. 143).
A religious family in the story Why I am a Pagan by Zitkala-sa, talks about how this little girl was taught certain things that her family has always gone by. What she was taught, she now holds close to her life dearly, while also relying on it every moment of the day. Her life shows us a different view on cultural identity, how she was taught something important not only to her, but in everyone else’s as well. By showing her what the kind of men in her life mean the most to her. She says something about her religion, how it reflects her past, present, and future, along with what she stands for. She says, “I was taught long years ago by kind missionaries to read the holy book, these godly men taught me also the folly of our old beliefs.” (Zitkala-sa 2) In her culture, and
Language is a mirror on which a person’s identity is being reflected. Language can disclose culture, religion, gender, and so on. In fact, language is needed when building a person’s identity. As a reader, understanding what language is and identity, and knowing the importance of each one of them is essential . The Rabbi’s Cat is centered around the intersection of different cultures, and the relationship between language and identity. The first chapter of the book focused the most on language and identity, but in most cases the relationship of the two is not clear, so the text requires reading with attention. Throughout the story, the Rabbi is the one character which faces many difficulties and challenges regarding to language and identity.
Religious imagery is something that can be found in artwork all through the centuries. An anonymous world-renowned graffiti artist who goes by ‘Banksy’ places traditional paintings in public places altered to send an iconoclastic message about society and government. In this image he depicts a traditional figure of Jesus dying on the cross, but in his hands can be found shopping bags full of presents and candy. Jesus, an iconic figure in religious history, has been turned into a puppet to fit the mold of our consumer driven society. The rhetor presents an iconoclastic view that the integral commemoration of Jesus’ death and the religious aspects
One of the avenues of influential learning is in school. The place where students spend half of their life. Going to school aids students in acquiring knowledge, establishing rapport and developing skills. When students attend school, they showcase not only their characters traits and attitudes, but they also carry with them their cultural differences and religious practices. (Green & Oldendorf, 2005). Looking at how diverse our society is, the question of teaching religions and their ideologies at a school-level rise. Whilst the state practices neutrality towards religion, there are still issues and challenges when it comes to accommodating religious diversity and its integration in the education system (Berger, 2013, p.104). Therefore, integrating religion in the education system can lead to