An Ordinary Man Compare And Contrast Essay

994 Words4 Pages

Malcolm Bradbury once said ¨Culture is a way of coping with the world by defining it in detail.¨ meaning culture can influence how people can see the world. Cultural background can also affect how people see the world.cultural background affect perspective as evidence the stories "An Ordinary Man" by Paul Rusesabagina,¨Desiree's baby¨ by Kate Chopin, and ¨The Lottery¨ by Shirley Jackson shows how cultural background affects them. In Paul Rusesabagina's "An Ordinary Man," the author provides insights into how cultural background affects perspective. Rusesabagina, a Rwandan man, reflects on the events leading up to the genocide that occurred in his home country in 1994. He writes, "As an African, I was brought up to believe that the community is more important than the individual. This is why we are often criticized for being collective and not individualistic. But …show more content…

Through Desiree's experience, Chopin highlights the importance of understanding and respecting different cultural backgrounds in order to prevent misunderstandings and discrimination. Then, in In Shirley Jackson's short story, "The Lottery," the characters' cultural background significantly influences their perspective on the annual lottery. The protagonist, Tessie Hutchinson, is a newcomer to the village and has not fully assimilated to their traditions. When her family is chosen in the lottery, she protests, "You didn't give him time enough to choose. Everybody saw that" (Jackson 7). Her statement reveals her belief that the lottery is unfair and the process was not done correctly. However, the other villagers view the lottery as an essential part of their cultural heritage and respond to Tessie's objections with, "Be a good sport, Tessie" (Jackson 7). This response highlights their cultural background and the importance placed on tradition and