Reference no: EM133636173

Assignment:

To the reviewer, use the following questions to guide your review. Your comments will help your partner gain a new prespective that will inform the reflection and revision processes. This is my paper I wrote and I am looking for a self re another prespective to assist with self-review.

1. What is your peer's thesis?
2. Is it an arguable thesis? (How can you tell?)
3. How can the thesis be more focused? (A strong thesis would be narrow, supported, and obviously arguable.)
4. Is there an argument considering conditions that promote hostility?
5. Does the thesis also consider conditions that facilitate cooperation?
6. Are the supporting paragraphs relevant to the thesis? Note paragraphs where the connection to the thesis is unclear.
7. Comment on the structure of your partner's essay. Note one example where the structure and organization support the argument clearly and persuasively AND one example where they make it difficult to follow the argument.
8. Is there equal, meaningful treatment of BOTH novels?
9. Is there a block comparison or side-by-side/point-by-point comparison? Is the organizational choice an effective structure to the comparison?
10. Note where your partner needs to offer more specific evidence to support a claim.
11. Note an example of effective use of evidence.
12. What final recommendation would you make to your partner about this essay?

THESIS: The dynamics of cultural intersection between Western and Non-Western civilizations have evolved over time, shifting from periods of dominance and tension shaped by historical events, human interactions, and social dynamics.

Cultural tensions during the Non-Western civilization period were ruled by government, discrimination, slavery, social, economic, and gender resistance. Westernization led to imperialism and the destruction of traditional political and economic systems in many non-Western countries. Time and practices led to evolutions. Literature, opportunity, relationships, and abolishing slavery drove the crossroads of challenging non-Western beliefs and greater cooperation and alliance amongst cultural, economic, and social groups.

The Novels generated text relating to culture being shared beliefs, values, and customs-civilization about organized social and political structures. Achebe's "Girls of War" women faced discrimination, they did not have the authority or ability to better themselves. In a patronizing view Reginald Nwankwo, stated, "didn't doubt that the girls and the women took themselves seriously; they obviously did. But so did the little kids who marched up and down the streets at the time drilling with stick and wearing their mothers' soup bowls for steel helmets" (Achebe's 667). Nwankwo viewed Gladys and the women like her as people without a purpose of importance. He had no regard for their lack of options. Women were not looked upon as equal or able. Archebe valued women's rights, pronounced ability and defied skepticism, defining cultural evolution and negating prejudices.

In The God of Small Things, Roy dives into the conflict between the individual and society, which is predominantly fueled by patriarchal traditions. Cultural crossings are created by the caste system and societal expectations, which have tragic effects. Roy's story indicates that, despite societal divides, love can transcend politics and hostility, offering a hopeful view of resolving cultural conflicts (Roy 67). The quotation "The marchers that day were party workers, students, and laborers themselves. Touchable and Untouchables. On their shoulders they carried a keg of ancient anger, lit with a recent fuse" (Roy 67) exemplifies the complicated interplay of love and cultural conventions.

This exemplifies the complexities of cultural crossings as well as the possibility for dramatic change. "Love Laws" aged as did Paradise Pickles and Preserves. The preservation slowly deteriorated like a leaking pickle jar, and preservation eroded." Perhaps it's true that things can change in a day. That a few dozen hours can affect the outcome of whole lifetimes". (Roy 32) Roy showed that love can cross divides of politics and hatred. Roy released conflict and demonstrated the ability to overcome the human interactions and social dynamics of "small things" that can trigger and change the events of one day. The quotation "The marchers that day were party workers, students, and laborers themselves. Touchable and Untouchables. On their shoulders they carried a keg of ancient anger, lit with a recent fuse" (Roy 67) exemplifies the complicated interplay of love and cultural conventions. This exemplifies the complexities of cultural crossings as well as the possibility for dramatic change.

Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea explores racial and sexual exploitation at the heart of Western civilization. The post-emancipation era in Jamaica unfolds as a cultural intersection where white populations "close ranks," excluding former slaves. Rhys skillfully depicts the struggle for identity and cultural belonging, showcasing the complexity of cultural intersections (Rhys 17). After the emancipation of all slaves in Jamaica, the white population of the island "closed ranks," excluding their former slaves. "Because over 85 percent of the British Caribbean was peopled by slaves, even as late as the mid-1850s, revolts, and riots were common" ("The Caribbean" Baldwin et al. 433).

The racial divide is palpable as seen in the societal exclusion of former slaves, exemplified by the quote, "The Lord makes no distinction between black and white, black and white the same for Him (P6). The battles between cultures, the psychological and emotional inconsistency between the societies, and the complexity of the characters being isolated. As the local man crudely stated as Antoinette's family fled the fire, "white and black burn the same" (P23). The reality is slavery, racism, and colonialism destroy the identity of human beings. "They say when trouble comes close ranks, and so the white people did. But we were not in their ranks" (Rhys 17). This quote encapsulates the societal dynamics and the cultural tensions prevalent in the novel.

In Gordimer's July's People, cultural tensions during the Non-Western civilization period were marked by government rule, discrimination, and resistance across various social, economic, and gender domains. The dismantling of apartheid laws and the shifting dynamics between the Smales and July exemplify a transformative intersection where traditional power structures are challenged. July's People focused on shedding the ownership on slaves, sought out the war to end slavery and make all people equal, for the "black man" to overtake the "white man." They will bring trouble; I don't mind those people-what do they matter to me? But white people bring trouble. (P82).

This illustrates a thought process that is still very much true today; people, as they exist with racial hierarchy, believe people can only interact within their system. Gordimer's writing is still currently relevant and essential because many countries and governments refuse to reconcile with their history of slavery, segregation, discrimination, and oppression. Native Americans still struggle with the aftermath of land theft, ethnic cleansing, racism, and bigotry. Some will argue culture has not evolved, changed, or progressed. "July's People demonstrates with clarity the tensions and complex interdependencies between whites and blacks in South Africa" (Gordimer 82). This highlights the nuanced portrayal of cultural shifts and tensions within the novel.

Sijie's Balzac and the Chinese Seamstress portrays the intersection of Western literature with Chinese culture during the Cultural Revolution. The characters find solace and escape through Western literature, showcasing a unique intersection where literature becomes a bridge between cultures during a tumultuous period, "education and literature is a "gift bestowed by an intellectual on mankind" (Sijie 172). The transformative power of literature is captured in the character's experience, as reflected in the quote, "With these books, I shall transform the Little Seamstress. She'll never be a simple mountain girl again" (Sijie 112). Although seemingly condescending, it shows that knowledge is always meant to be shared. This emphasizes the cultural bridge-building role of literature, serving as a unique intersection in the novel.

The novels, though diverse in their cultural intersections, collectively illustrate the evolution of societal dynamics. From gender discrimination in July's People to racial and sexual exploitation in Wide Sargasso Sea, and the transcendent power of love in The God of Small Things, to the cultural bridge-building through literature in Balzac and the Chinese Seamstress, these texts showcase the multifaceted nature of cultural evolution.