The Works of Scott Momaday: Culture Shock - Essay Example

THE IMPLICATIONS OF CULTURE SHOCK Change of location or environment is bound to bring varying effects, depending on the subject at hand. Whether small or big, change will always be associated with a particular sense. To some it may be anxiety while to others a combination of the former and loneliness. It is experienced in a number of circumstances; this is dependent on the nature of persons involved. This article identifies instances where culture shock is evident and draws valuable information for purposes of analysis. There are many instances where cultural shock has dominated and resulted to either positive or negative reaction. This has been interpreted differently, while there are some that have assimilated, some did not have the capacity to go through the assimilation process. This kind of individuals, eventually gave up and held up to their familiar ways of life. We begin with a story comprising of two close friends, Amy and Jeehynum, who have had similar experiences in high school. At the beginning, the two friends separated, and one travelled to Korea. It is apparent that the two have been friends from their childhood days, and their friendship culminates in high school, at a stage where their lives are close together. The future is uncertain, and the two do not know what to expect when they relocate to a different environment. For Amy, she has a different experience in regards to her college life, which makes her get filled up with mixed reactions, as events unfold. However, she starts off nicely, gets new friends and finally begins to catch up with the new environment. For Jeehyun, college years have been tough, and most of the times she would often try to assimilate into the environment with no much progress. It is evident that the two friends are experiencing culture shock; a situation in which a person feels disoriented as a result of being exposed to a new way of life. There are many causes, of this scenario, the notable and most familiar one being, when an individual is exposed to a foreign land (Ward, Bochner, and Furnham). Culture shock is addressed in four defining stages, these are honeymoon, negotiation, adjustment and mastery. The honeymoon stage comprises of a healthy view of the differences that are evident in the subjects. The strange land at this stage seems to be good and at times adventuress. It is at this stage, where the subjects would find nationals that are familiar and at times speak their language. This stage does not last for long, after a short period, it can take about two to three months. The next stage comprises of a negotiation process; the foreigner begins to note the huge differences that are evident between the cultures. There is usually a mixed reaction, which is dependent on a number of factors. The feeling that takes up this stage dictates the next stages, after excitement starts, there are unpleasant feelings that follow. The subjects begin developing anger attributes; this is due to the unfavorable events that cover their lives. Notable differences include differences in public hygiene, traffic society, food accessibility and accessibility. After the subjects have understood and had prior experience, they are then introduced to the adjustment stage. At this stage, most individuals have adjusted and made the necessary changes; they now understand what to expect. After undergoing through the outlined steps, the subjects graduate to the final stage, which is the mastery stage. This is a crucial stage and determines whether there would be cohesion and assimilation. At this stage, there is full participation and by now, the adjustments are in place, and negative attributes begin to fade. It is important to note that the mastery stage does not suggest complete conversion, it is a stage dependent on how the person appreciates the new environment. He or she may find commendable aspects that may be assimilated while still holding his or hers. At other instances, the person completely takes up the new way of life and forgoes his or hers. In this story, Amy is exposed to a positive environment as compared to Jeehynum, she has new friends, and her life seems to blend in with the natives. However, this does not last long as the turn of events become conflicting. Her expectations are high and she would rather stay in this environment than maintain the long relationship. It does not work out and the eventual results are unwelcoming as she realizes that it is a life style that she cannot maintain. It at this time that she realizes what matters to her the most; to maintain a healthy relationship with her long term friend and her problems in the new environment will eventually end. This case illustrates the direct impacts of culture shock; the true friends have finally learnt that, their friendship matters. Throughout the process, they become hostile to assimilation. There are numerous paintings that have depicted this process, back in the mid twentieth century an American artist known as, Andrew Wyeth, drew a painting that has attracted a lot of attention. He named the painting “Christina’s World”, which consisted of a woman that appeared to be crawling towards a grey house. The background is simple with grass and a grey house. The woman appears to be lying on the grass, and the sky takes a greyish appearance and near the edge of the field, there are houses. These houses are placed at the furthest point of the horizon, which means the woman cannot reach them since she placed at the foreground. There are many interpretations that may be addressed to this particular painting, but it all depends on the interpreter and the desired results. Even with these variations, one notable aspect is the gap between the woman and the houses. This clearly signifies that the woman and house are separated, and there are some struggles. The efforts of the woman are evident in the picture as it appears that she is trying to fight some opposing forces so that she may reach the houses. According to this painting the main character appears to be moving to a particular direction, which is interpreted as a familiar environment keeping in mind that the current position appears to be disturbing and not comfortable for the woman. Taking a cultural shock perspective, the subjects are either assimilated or end up opposing the different environment. This painting clearly shows that the woman desires to go back to her familiar environment. She has not undergone the process of assimilation and prefers to embrace what she is used to, although the results are unknown, the woman seems optimistic. With time, she will eventually overcome all the barriers and go back to her home. The works of Maxine Hong Kingston also illustrates instances where cultural shock has been applied. In his book, “No Name Woman” the author narrates the ordeal that befalls a native woman that conceives out of wedlock. The woman in question is a close relative to the author, her aunt. This event is analyzed in stages. At first the author clearly shows that the story is set on the expectations of a particular group (Kingston& Maxine 20). This are the Chinese who have a different way of life, and demand some principles to be followed. According to the Chinese culture, marriage is the primary determinant of having a child. In the book, the author shows that there are a set of principles that must be observed. For example, in accordance to Chinese customs, wedding delegates personalizes the right to conceive, if an aunty conceives a child it becomes a new event. Since, the Chinese people are not used to it, they do not know how to react and now one must speak of the event. From that stage, the proceeding events are full of confusion, misunderstanding and stigmatization. To the Chinese, this was not anticipated, it is a new event, and therefore, they must eventually find an inclusive solution. Although there is a different perspective, in light of what the woman has done, the woman in question has been left alone for a long time. The husband is placed as missing, while the Chinese people have a clear stand regarding this matter, there are some facts that must be addressed. The decision made must be favorable, one that considers all the parties. While the Chinese people monitor their moral codes, they must also enhance the personal development of subjects. This entails all matters that will lead to the uplifting of the person rather than The works of Scott Momaday also illustrate the process involved when a person is experiencing culture shock. The works of Momaday, concentrates on the assimilation process, through a critical analysis of the life of his biological grandmother. The author has used the life of his grandmother to shed light on his cultural identity. In his works, the author has analyzed how the life of his grandmother has been, her prior and future experiences. It is apparent that the author loves his grandmother and most proceeding present this fact. The text ends with an introduction to a new phase, because, the author has revealed a relatively high rate of love. In the story, there are consequences the author must bear the cost with, which are associated with leaving old and familiar ways and embracing new ones, there is a burden at the end. As the author introduces that death of her grandmother, the story adopts a new phase. The new phase consists of a number of features this are dictated by a transition. The author has a different life style as compared to the grandma. The author is forced to adopt the life of the loved one, which is a difficult task. Assimilation of the life lived by the grandmother implies that there are some features that must pave way for new one. Practically the author has to leave his way of life and assimilate the new and strange one. Amy compares this case with what they experienced in college, since they had to adapt to a strange environment, their situation resembles the one for Momaday. Assimilation is a process and every stage has its pros and cons. In order for it to be successful, there must be full adoption of each stage. This process heavily relies on the subject. It assumes different timings depending on the person at hand. For some, it may take years, while others months or even days. The author has a big job ahead; he must forgo one character so that the other may be assimilated. Otherwise, the grandmother’s legacy will eventually be forgotten. The author must abandon his civilization that the grandmother’s lifestyle may have a way. It is a tough job; the journey seems to be hard. Eventually, the author is optimistic and hopes for a defined end. In this work, it is apparent that, at one time, a life-change is inevitable. At this instances-there must be willing hearts. The society has raised some expectations, and they must be met. It will always be like this, so long as the earth has inhabitants. As such, there is a need for ignoring negative voices and concentrating on achieving ones set goals Works Cited Kingston, Maxine H. The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of Girlhood Among Ghosts. New York: Vintage eBooks, 2010. Print. Komanecky, M, O. Nakamura, and William A. Farnsworth Library and Art Museum. Andrew Wyeth, Christinas World, and the Olson House. Rockland, Me.: Farnsworth Art Museum, 2011. Print. Momaday, N S, and Al Momaday. The Way to Rainy Mountain. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1969. Print. Sharp, Ilsa. Australia. Portland, or: Graphic Arts Books, 2005. Print. Ward, Colleen A, Stephen Bochner, and Adrian Furnham. The Psychology of Culture Shock. Hove [England: Routledge, 2001. Print. Read More