This essay firstly looks at the culture model by Hofstede and its description of the Japanese culture in contrast to the American culture. Using this knowledge of both cultures it analyses the short story "A Family Affair" written by Kazuo Ishiguro. In his short story he describes the returning of a son from the United States, back to his traditional japanese family in Japan. Kazuo Ishiguro uses the clash of traditions, namly the American one versus the traditional Japanese one, to show the differences in both cultures.
Table of Contents
1. The five-dimensional model of national culture
2. Short Story “A Family Supper”
3. Using Hofstedes’ model of culture to analyze the short story “A Family Supper”
Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this study is to examine cultural differences between the United States and Japan through the lens of Geert Hofstede’s five-dimensional model of national culture, applying these theoretical concepts to analyze Kazuo Ishiguro's short story "A Family Supper".
- Application of Hofstede's cultural dimensions (Power Distance, Individualism, Masculinity, Uncertainty Avoidance, Long-Term Orientation) to literary analysis.
- Examination of generational conflicts between traditional Japanese values and Westernized influences.
- Analysis of family dynamics, social hierarchy, and gender roles within the narrative.
- Investigation of the symbolic use of Japanese traditions and the "samurai" legacy in contemporary settings.
- Exploration of the tension between collectivist duty and individual autonomy in post-war Japan.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Using Hofstede’s model of culture to analyze the short story “A Family Supper”
This chapter is going to put Japan and the United States in perspective with the Hofstede Model of Cultures and use this knowledge on the short story “A Family Supper”. The idea is, that the father represents the pure Japanese culture, while the son is more influenced by the American culture. Kikuko cannot really be positioned and might be seen as the new, upcoming Japanese generation, which is highly influenced by the American way of life.
Japan scores in Power Distance and Individualism are mediocre. The PDI Score for Japan is 54 putting it at a borderline hierarchical society, meaning that people in Japan are beware of their social status and will act properly to their rank. On the other hand children are raised to believe that if they work hard they can reach higher social ranks and that everyone is born equal (Hofstede, Culture's consequences 99). The IDV score is measured at 46 for Japan. Resulting in Japan being seen neither as a collective society, even though the features could easily be identified, nor an individualistic society (Hofstede, Culture's consequences 214). In the short story these two scores can be seen in the difference how the father acts towards the two siblings.
Summary of Chapters
1. The five-dimensional model of national culture: This chapter introduces Hofstede’s framework for comparing cultures, specifically defining the five key dimensions used to evaluate societal behaviors and values.
2. Short Story “A Family Supper”: This chapter provides a descriptive summary and narrative analysis of Kazuo Ishiguro’s short story, focusing on the return of a son to his home in Japan.
3. Using Hofstedes’ model of culture to analyze the short story “A Family Supper”: This chapter applies the previously defined cultural dimensions to the characters and conflicts within the story, highlighting the generational and cultural divide between the father and his children.
Keywords
Hofstede, National Culture, Japan, United States, A Family Supper, Kazuo Ishiguro, Power Distance, Individualism, Masculinity, Uncertainty Avoidance, Long-Term Orientation, Generational Shift, Cultural Identity, Literary Analysis, Samurai Tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines cultural differences between Japan and the United States by applying Geert Hofstede’s five-dimensional cultural model to the narrative of the short story "A Family Supper".
Which specific dimensions of culture are analyzed?
The study covers Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, Individualism, Masculinity, and Long-term vs. short-term orientation.
What is the main goal of the research?
The research aims to demonstrate how Ishiguro uses cultural contrasts to represent the conflict between traditional Japanese values and the globalized, American-influenced younger generation.
What methodology is employed in this work?
The methodology is a comparative literary analysis grounded in cultural studies, specifically utilizing Hofstede's sociological framework to interpret character motivations and social structures.
What subjects are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the theoretical definition of Hofstede's dimensions, a detailed plot summary of the short story, and an analytical synthesis of how these cultural theories manifest in the characters' behaviors.
Which keywords define this academic work?
Key terms include Hofstede, Japan, cultural dimensions, generational shift, and literary analysis of Kazuo Ishiguro's work.
How does the author interpret the role of the father in the story?
The father is portrayed as an embodiment of traditional, older-generation Japanese values, including strict adherence to social hierarchy and a sense of pride in historical samurai lineage.
What significance do the "Power Distance" and "Individualism" scores have in the analysis?
These scores explain the strained relationship and hierarchical power dynamics observed between the father and his two children within the domestic setting of the story.
How is the concept of "face" and "honor" addressed in the context of the story's ending?
The author discusses these themes through the suicide of the father's business partner, Watanabe, noting that the father's reaction reflects a slow evolution in his acceptance of changing cultural standards.
- Citation du texte
- Anonym (Auteur), 2018, Cultural differences in the short story "A Family Affair" by Kazuo Ishiguro, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/587944
