Movie Analysis

  1. Analyze Walt’s process of adapting to cultural diversity (Ch. 4). Identify the difference between Walt’s culture and the Hmong people.
  2. Looking closely at Walt’s communications style, how would you describe his verbal communication skills versus of Thao and Sue? What are the meanings and purposes Walt attaches to talk?
  3. How does Walt view friendship different than Thao and Sue? What strategies are different between them in initiating and maintaining friendships?

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Walt’s Journey with Cultural Diversity (Chapter 4 of The Joy Luck Club)

1. Walt’s Adaptation and Cultural Differences:

  • Limited Understanding: Walt initially approaches the Hmong culture with a sense of curiosity but limited understanding. He relies on stereotypes and generalizations, referring to them as “exotic” and unfamiliar with their customs.

  • Gradual Acceptance: Through exposure to the Hmong traditions and stories shared by the mothers, Walt starts to appreciate their cultural richness. He becomes more accepting and respectful of their beliefs and practices.

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  • Challenges and Frustration: However, there are moments of frustration when communication barriers arise due to language and cultural differences. For example, the concept of “face” might be unfamiliar to Walt, leading to misunderstandings.
  • Cultural Relativism: As the chapter progresses, Walt shows signs of developing cultural relativism. He tries to see things from the Hmong perspective and understand their experiences within their cultural context.

Cultural Differences:

  • Communication Style: The Hmong culture may emphasize indirect communication and respecting elders, while Walt might be more direct and assertive.
  • Family Values: The Hmong culture likely prioritizes strong family bonds and collectivism, whereas Walt might come from a more individualistic culture.
  • Religious Beliefs: The Hmong may have traditional religious practices that differ from Walt’s belief system.
  1. Communication Styles:
  • Walt: Walt’s communication style is likely direct and assertive. He might value clarity and efficiency in conversation.
  • Thao and Sue: Thao and Sue might be more indirect and respectful in their communication, especially towards elders. They might prioritize maintaining social harmony and avoiding conflict.
  • Walt’s View of Talk: For Walt, talk might be a tool for information exchange, problem-solving, and asserting his opinions.
  • Thao and Sue’s View of Talk: For Thao and Sue, talk might serve a more nuanced purpose. It could be used for building relationships, expressing respect, and navigating cultural expectations.
  1. Friendship Dynamics:
  • Walt: Walt might initiate friendships based on shared interests or activities. He might be more comfortable with direct expressions of affection or camaraderie.
  • Thao and Sue: Thao and Sue might prioritize building trust and understanding before initiating a friendship. They might value more subtle expressions of care and respect within the friendship.

Strategies:

  • Walt: Walt might be more likely to directly ask someone to be friends or participate in an activity.
  • Thao and Sue: Thao and Sue might spend more time getting to know someone through shared experiences or indirect gestures of support before considering them a friend.

Remember:

These are interpretations based on limited information from Chapter 4. The characters’ cultural backgrounds and communication styles might be further explored in later chapters.

 

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