Globalization and Its Effect on Minority Cultures in Tom O’Neill’s “Heart of Helambu”

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Analysis
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The pace of globalization has become much more expeditious over the past few decades, leaving a number of people to wonder if its cultural ramifications will have a negative effect on the cultures that have been historically prone to being colonized and appropriated by the dominant ones (Steenkamp, 2019). Moreover, the notion of globalization introduces the questions that are even more nuanced, inviting the perspectives of one culture encroaching upon another despite both representing the minority (Chu, White, & Verrelli, 2017). In his book “Heart of Helambu,” Tom O’Neill offers a unique lens through which the specified sociocultural issues can be examined by describing the complexity of interactions between Nepalese citizens, namely, Buddhist monks, and migrant carpet weavers, who are seen as entrepreneurs by locals. Although the book inevitably incorporates the Western perspective into the interpretation of the observed relationships ad practices, it still invites the opportunity to consider some of the nuances of two oppressed cultures colliding and fighting for representation.

Analysis

The novel renders the theme of globalization and cultural fusion that it entails perfectly, showing the scenarios in which the process of cultural acceptance is unlikely to occur seamlessly and effortlessly. While the notion of globalization is typically perceived in its idealistic form as the unwavering acceptance of other cultures, O’Neill (2016) proves that the process of acceptance will not happen overnight. Specifically, the description of interactions between Helambu carpet-makers and the newcomers, who are perceived as entrepreneurs and act like ones, delineates the message quite accurately. Another crucial theme that is often addressed in the novel is that one of cultural alienation (O’Neill, 2016). Namely, the social distance and the culture of a rigid social hierarchy within the Nepalese environment paints a rather hostile perception of Vietnamese workers in the specified setting.

Furthermore, the challenge of reconciling the difference echoes in every situation described by O’Neill, perpetuating the social life of Nepalese people. For this purpose, the author uses language as the means of outlining the differences in perception and the presence of a culture clash defined by persistent misconceptions. For example, O’Neill recalls that “Shyam would always draw my attention to the idiomatic use of Nepal in our interviews and discussions” (O’Neill, 2016, p. 81). Explaining that the idiom was supposed to mean “something somewhat different,” the author clarifies that the relationships between the residents of Nepal and Vietnamese immigrants is defined primarily by misguided stereotypes (O’Neill, 2016, p. 81). Thus, O’Neill indicates that the further reconciliation becomes nearly impossible.

Discussion

The theme of cultural alienation is approached form several angles in the novel. Although O’Neill (2016) emphasizes the lack of cultural appropriation as a result of the specified trend in the Nepalese society, he also notes the presence of a cultural divide that the specified attitudes create. As a result, the barrier between the two cultures becomes particularly difficult to overcome (Cheon, 2019). In addition, the portrayal of the culture and traditions of both Nepalese residents and Vietnamese workers has contributed vastly to the analysis of the nature of misconceptions and cross-cultural conflicts occurring in the specified setting (O’Neill, 2016). Namely, the manner in which the author described the Nepalese crowd on the election day shows that people’s attitudes toward each other determine how they treat those belonging to other groups: “This behavior was unusual in itself, as I had rarely seen a Nepalese queue so respected” (O’Neill, 2016, p. 39). Therefore, it could be argued that the author conveys the necessity to expand the concept of globalization by promoting not only culture fusion, but also the principles of acceptance, tolerance, and willingness to change (Ozer, Bertelsen, Singla, & Schwartz, 2017). Namely, the alterations in the attitudes toward people from the same cultural environment may entail a shift in how people view those that are deemed as outsiders. Consequently, the complexity of globalization and the process of culture fusion are represented fully in the novel.

Conclusion

Despite the unavoidable presence of the Western perspective, which is defined by the authors’ cultural background, the book still provides a rather accurate ad interesting account of the relationships between Vietnamese Buddhist monks and migrant carpet weavers. Being structured as a narrative with a distinctive plot, the book does not foist its interpretation of the issue onto the reader obnoxiously but, instead, allows the audience to come to their conclusions independently. Nevertheless, the novel contains subtle yet quite discernible indications of the arguments in favor of both sides. Representing the relationships between the specified groups as objectively as he possibly can do, O’Neill (2016) creates an accurate portrayal of the differences in the cultural perceptions of Nepalese citizens and Vietnamese migrant workers, thus delineating the complexity of the globalization process. With its depiction of how the two cultures interact and what the consequences of their mixing are, the author suggests that the promotion of mutual respect and the promotion of relationships despite the presence of social distances, the concept of globalization can be applied to the cultures that have been subjugated to colonization and, therefore, strive to protect their cultural legacy.

References

Cheon, B. K. (2019). The diversity of cultural diversity: Psychological consequences of different patterns of intercultural contact and mixing. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 22(1), 93-105. Web.

Chu, E., White, F. A., & Verrelli, S. (2017). Biculturalism amongst ethnic minorities: Its impact for individuals and intergroup relations. Australian Journal of Psychology, 69(4), 229-236. Web.

O’Neill, T. (2016). The heart of Helambu: Ethnography and entanglement in Nepal. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press.

Ozer, S., Bertelsen, P., Singla, R., & Schwartz, S. J. (2017). “Grab your culture and walk with the global” Ladakhi students’ negotiation of cultural identity in the context of globalization-based acculturation. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 48(3), 294-318. Web.

Steenkamp, J. B. E. (2019). Global versus local consumer culture: Theory, measurement, and future research directions. Journal of International Marketing, 27(1), 1-19. Web.

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Globalization and Its Effect on Minority Cultures in Tom O’Neill’s “Heart of Helambu”

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