The Shattered Mirror Analysis

We all have values and ethics coming from our culture. In fact, our culture and education are the most important sources of our values and ethics. Education is the primary factor that will construct the way an individual later think and culture is the primary influence on our values and customs. “The Shattered Mirror” by Kwame Anthony Appiah discusses the life of Richard Burton, a famous adventurer from the time of Victorian England, to prove his point that across the world there are hundreds of different cultures which all share a part of truth but that none of these cultures will be able to unite on a single set of values. Thus, Appiah argues to understand if “a common value system which would unify the world” can exist despite all the differences

The story of an Indian family which immigrates in Boston shows the many examples of the cultural differences that make the characters react because they don’t really appreciate the other culture’s practices. For example, in the second chapter, the passage when Ashima and Ashoke are discussing with Doctor Wilcox to find a name for their newborn Ganguli boy is a perfect example of mutual disregard of culture. On the one hand, Doctor Wilcox is highly surprised and even dismayed by the fact that Ashima and Ashoke don’t have a name for their child. On the other hand, when Doctor Wilcox shares his idea of using the way he was named by giving the name of an ancestor as in the English and French traditions, the first thought of Ashima and Ashoke is that it would be ridiculed in India: “This tradition doesn’t exist for Bangalis, (…). This sign of respect in America and Europe, this symbol of heritage and lineage would be ridiculed in India” (28:4). A second example of differences between cultures that stimulate consternation can be found in the third chapter. After doing a field trip at school, Gogol brings at home rubbings of gravestones which shocks terribly Ashima because children shouldn’t be exposed to death is that way. Apparently, in American culture, going to a cemetery is perfectly fine for children on a school trip which was completely unthinkable for Ashima. However, even though there are many cultural differences which sometimes irritate the Gangulis, they’ve been able to more or less integrate American society. Overall, Ashima is the less adapted and is the most nostalgic of India but for Gogol integration in American society was pretty successful –except that he faced many difficulties because of his uncommon name. An analysis of the Namesake tends to give reason to Appiah’s conclusion in “The Shattered mirror” since the story is full of anecdotes where the cultural