Being surrounded by people of different cultural backgrounds can be overwhelming as shown in “When Worlds Collide” by Pico Iyer, and the way a person perceives them is influenced by their own culture. Although there are many factors that affect an individual’s perspective of the world, culture always shapes perception because it introduces a basis for what is usual in life and what is uncommon in their eyes. In An Indian Father’s Plea, culture strongly influences Wind-Wolf, the speaker’s son, in all aspects of his life. Wind-Wolf has been raised with certain values that have changed the way he interacts with others. Though others may not be accepting of him, he manages to make a friend who later abandons him because his mother states, “We don’t allow those kind of people in our house!” (Lake 78). Wind-Wolf’s experience with his white classmate’s culture urged him to assimilate into their customs and change his appearance because “Instead of being proud of his race, heritage, and culture, he feels ashamed.” (Lake 78). This assimilation of culture changed the person Wind-Wolf was, and …show more content…
Due to Dee receiving an education, she has always been able to do more than her sister and mother. Dee experienced life outside of the house she was raised in and was able to see the world and other people around it. Her contact with other cultures changed her values when she decided to assimilate into their beliefs. Maggie, however, had never observed the outside world. She finds comfort in her own family history and heritage and has completely learned about it. Dee has let her heritage slip from her memory and even changed her name because, “I couldn’t bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me.” (Walker 62). Furthermore, assimilation into other cultures changes a person’s character and how they view the