Mona in the Promised Land By Gish Jen Essay

Cultural clashes be wholeness of the defining marks of the early centuries wherein racial, heathenish and heathenish difference be the al intimately debated issues. Long before the overtake of globalization in the global scene, variant nation-states did non sincerely have the nonice of qualification close relationships with their neighboring states oddly when their twists ar the assume opposite of theirs.And for this reason, they well- seek to isolate themselves from early(a) countries (or at approximately have communication or pretty have indirect relationship toward former(a) states that have almost similar stopping point and usage) so as to preserve their ethnic heritage. Fagan) just now upon the outbreak of WW1 and WW2, last, turn tail and ethnicity became iodine of the pivotal prices that changed the gentle publics gentleman structure and order. On the a nonher(prenominal) hand, the occurrence of the said realness wars and the introduction of t he concept of globalization were non the primordial root of much(prenominal)(prenominal) heathenish clashes. Even during the time of the namement of the early civilizations in almost all regions of the solid ground, difference of opinions that were specify or motivated by heathenish postulates were already preponderant. Hence, in that respect is this historical root of the said problem.Culture, Race and Ethnicity Culture is con fountred as a counsel of disembodied spirit. It implies that whatever man does or acts or believes it is its purification. Traditions and impost atomic number 18 subsets of nicety. Even before an soulfulness was born, there was already a defined culture to which he was already be longed. This culture was addicted to him by either his p arnts or his environs (or up to now both). Having this fact, a psyche cannot in reality say that he has chosen a token culture for himself. plainly what is very true is that he was anticipated to line up his parents and/or his environments culture.And except as he work upes or as he grows up that he exposes himself to separate culture and tries to build up some modifications on his possessed culture. Thus, whizz can be influenced by other foreign cultures. And that he can assimilate those cultures as he pleases. except the rakehellal pagan that he owns cannot rattling be thrown a bureau(p). It squeezes to unity person as long as he lives. (Bolaffi) Race defines how mans biological, sociological and cultural features are structured. Be it an American, an Asian or a European. except among the works that which suffers a lot are the travels of the duskys (the Africans). During the manage of the Black-Americans complimentsing the slavery issue, they were perceived as the race that which is the most inferior (for they believed then that the criterion for lordity can be mensurable through the color of the skin). As a result of much(prenominal)(prenominal) conc eption, the Blacks were badly do by and their dignity was truly degraded. Historically, the Blacks received the most numbered and prominent manifestations of racial discrimination. (Bolaffi)Ethnicity comes into the picture as subset of culture (as stated earlier in this paper). It goes with the estimate that all(prenominal) individual is either belonged to a single group which has the homogeneous affiliation and identity as that individual or has a two or more ethnic origins. That which is very unmingled in the concept of ethnicity is the belief that there is this one single historical origin that is common to all those members of a particular ethnic group. And as branch of culture, it entails usances and customs as well as practices and beliefs that are exclusive to each ethnic group. (Bolaffi) this instant imagine when one tries to penetrate a particular culture that is defined by a singular and specific race and ethnicity. Surely, clash of cultural differences and ideolog ies pull up stakes arise. But such(prenominal)(prenominal) holdion to incompatible cultures and varied customs and traditions is not really impossible. As mentioned earlier, one can define his culture by either adapting his parents culture or by adapting his environments culture. However, the latter poses practically struggle and criticisms not further for individuals and also for nation-states (especially those that suffered from colonialism).On the Novel Mona in the Promised Land The fable was all astir(predicate) a girl named Mona (a half Chinese and half American) who was become so enchant with the Judaic society that she declared that she would deepen herself into Jew. Such was the conflict of the tarradiddle. She was Chinese-American and yet she treasured to belong herself in the Judaic tradition and belief. That is the very amour that signaled her own conflict with her find. (Jen) Mona situated herself into a large rung of slew. She was with Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Blacks and Jews. She learned and discovered m all things well-nigh the contrastive cultures that her companions and circle of friends have.At any rate she appreciated those cultures. Being a Chinese-American she knows well that her ethnic origins were somewhat in conflict. Nonetheless it did not undermine her will to live the career that she wanted. The stories that were revealed to her by the Black raft inspired her to be grand of her race. Unfortunately when he became so often in tuned of the Jewish religion/tradition, her aliveness became so much criticized not only by other throng who employ to sit with her and have talks but also of her own family especially his have.Although their family her breed and mother and herself was more distinguished as Chinese, her beget wanted her to act and shed herself as a full-pledged American. Americanization became her grows everyday reminder for her. As a result, the structure of their family, their beliefs and practices and their characters were Americanized. And that was her parents want. However, still if she was born in American she refused to pretend and act standardized a true-blooded American whom she was really not. She tried to discover her own culture.But his did not mean that she would have to throw away her original culture and restorely flatter a foreign culture. This only suggested that she would establish her own preferred culture or belong herself to her chosen culture and would not try hard to be mortal else just to fit in with other standards ( manage that of the American attitude). The climax of the story was when Mona in the end declared to her parents that she would convert herself into the Jewish religion. Her have was totally against such conversion. Her family especially her father believed that the being a Jew would only make her tone miserable and inferior to others.Her father believed that the American culture was the most superior culture even with that of their Chinese culture. He mentioned the entire things that the American culture brought into this realness comparable those of the more and recent proficient advancements. Yet, Mona did not bend with that argumentation. The novel revealed the undeniable role of religion in shape the culture of a particular individual. As what was described in it, Mona found the Jewish religion as more like of her own principles and beliefs.She absorbed the Jewish doctrines and practices the way she wanted. It did not become hard for her to take in and appreciate the Jewish tradition since she was at first exposed to different cultures. But the very thing that made her patch up to make herself belong in that Jewish religion is that she was in the Jewish participation such that their influence was really irresistible. non only that. It was very hard for her to stick to her original culture when all that she had was its exact opposite. The bottom line was that she pursued such convers ion and lived the Jewish way.The moral lesson of the story (if it can be classified as one) is that a particular thing does not really assure you of the happiness that it could fracture only through its tag or label. But what really matters is that you really like that thing and that there is nothing that pushes you to plump such choice. In short, happiness comes if a person willfully chooses it. Historical, Sociological and semi semipolitical Issues The Americanization Since the coming of the globalization period, Westernization, particularly Americanization was a cosmic issue. What does it take to be Americanized?And what is the trade-off of becoming an Americanized person? There is this big assumption that America is the orbs most superior race. Being the mans sole superpower, passel regard American culture to be the only culture that could give the people a better heart (just like how Monas parents believed). Political stability, great economic stand up and supreme in fluence among nations and states in the world, are the characteristics that scoop up describe America. However, America is uncomplete an ideal state nor a better sanctuary for all people. (ODell)America is mark as the melting pot of the world (worlds culture). This is the place wherein people of different races and different culture can freely live and pursue their goals in conduct without being constrained. But that is only a loose description. America surely offers and provides the world with so many things for development and progress. However, isnt it over universalization to say that American culture is the best culture among other cultures in the world? Let us say that American people do not really claim such. However, other cultures regard such thing as truth.The result is that people in the world idolizes and patronizes American culture having this conception that if they would try to live the American life then their lives would really better and they would live in pro sperity. But such is only a misconception. A person can make himself remedy and progress regardless of his cultural inclinations, and racial and ethnic origins. But then it still goes with the idea that the society does not limit its citizens to show window their interests, talents and capabilities as well as their ad hominem beliefs.In relation with the novel, Mona was constrained by her father and told that converting herself into Jewish would make her life miserable. But then Mona believed that by his faith, her life would be at peace and would be secured. Choosing a religion is a righteousness (with reference to the Universal Declaration of Rights). And having it as a right would mean that such would not badly affect the lives of individuals. And such would not be used as standard for looking at a persons life. Perhaps most Americans cannot be termed as pure Americans.By appealing to their original cultures, traditions and customs, Americans can be seen as a very general for m of culture that which is also comprised of different cultures. The Chinese Principle Historically speaking, Chinese was known as the main realm in Asia. Being revered and served by other nations. It has been said that the Chinese people regard themselves as the supreme race in the whole Asia such that everyone should soften respect and look at every Chinese with veneration. China termed those nations beyond its state as barbarians. It implies that China is the central and the sole bearer of power and authority in Asia.However such conception slightly China was erased when it was attacked and conquered by the Western nations. No matter how China received tragical experiences and great insults from the Western conquerors, China neer regard herself as a conquered and foiled nation. It preserves such principle by inculcating in the minds of all the Chinese people the great and rich history of their Chinese culture. It inspires every Chinese to be more proud of their cultural he ritage even if their physical features are really different from the Western features. Nonetheless, not all Chinese remain loyal with such principle. some Chinese people consider adapting the culture of the other nations so as to improve their way of living. In the novel, Monas father can be regarded as on of those Chinese people who would put excursus his Chinese pride and dignity in order to assure him a life of prosperity in the cradle of the American culture. Well, it is not really bad to adapt to foreign culture as long as it would not mean a re-identification of oneself. It means that as long as a person accepts and recognizes his authentic origins magic spell making some modifications in his cultural belief it does not entail a total denial of the original culture.Mona did not really deny her Chinese heritage. She is even proud to be a Chinese. On the other hand, Mona did not see herself as a solid Chinese whose beliefs and practices are confined with the ancient and tradit ional Chinese religions. She or else saw herself as a person whom can only grow in the arms of the Jewish religion. For Mona, such conversion was no big deal. But for her parents it was really a form of unfaithfulness to her cultural heritage (well, her father did not really appear as person who advocated Chinese principles and ideologies but more of a person who wanted to make Mona a full turned-American person).As for the story, the Chinese side of Mona and her parent was not really highlighted. It play a very little role that it could not be even considered as a principal source of cultural conflict that was evident in the novel. Mona in the Arms of the Jewish Tradition Mona rather chose Jewish culture and tradition than making herself absorbed and lived the American culture. For Mona, it was not if one was an American, a Chinese, a Black or a Jew, the most important thing was that you know what is right and you did not tint on anyones foot.Living in such principle she pursued her life the Jewish way. Judaism is the religion of the Jews. It is a monotheistic religion since it believes and advocates that there is only one God. And this God is the supreme legislator of laws. He is the noble Creator whom created the world and its order. And that mankind committed sin against this Supreme Entity. The only way for them to be saved from those sins is to be joined with God by living a good life and that life is illustrated by the Jewish culture. (Sarna) There is really nothing wrong with Monas decisiveness of converting herself into a Jew.Her personal belief and her faith cannot really be managed by other people but only by herself. Her father was only in opposition with her decision primarily because he thought that if Mona would really move towards the Jewish way of life, she magnate be lost because of her initial Chinese and American culture. Having both Chinese and American culture is really a struggle for any person. It would be more alter if one woul d include the Jewish culture, and that is exactly what the clash of the cultures suggests.To end this paper, the historical, sociological and political issues that can be drawn from the novel are really directed toward smorgasbord and conflict among cultures in the world. There is really no possible way that culture can be universalized or standardized. However, such cultural differences can be managed by simply paying respect to other cultures that have different structure and tradition from ones own culture. but then that people would really fragmentize such conflict regarding the clash of cultures.