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July 16, 2007
A Passage to America
In preparing for a non-western literature class which I teach, I read a short essay by the Indian writer R. K. Narayan. It was about a visit he had made to America and the situation of Indian immigrants in this society. This last paragraph struck me as something of an indictment of our culture and, more pointedly, of how the church is not really distinct from it at all. This essay was written in 1985. I think in some ways our cultural life in America has become more holistic and multi-cultural since that time, but at the same time consistently more and more materialistic as well, a strange combination. I am not saying I agree with all that follows, and perhaps it paints with a bit of a broad brush, but it does provide some food for thought. Here is Narayan:
"Ultimately, America and India are profoundly different in attitude and philosophy, though it would be wonderful if they could complement each other's values. Indian philosophy stresses austerity and unencumbered, uncomplicated day-to-day living. America's emphasis, on the other hand, is on material acquisition and the limitless pursuit of prosperity. From childhood an Indian is brought up on the notion that austerity and a contended life are good; a certain otherworldliness is inculcated through a grandmother's tales, the discourses at the temple hall, and moral books. The American temperament, on the contrary, is pragmatic. The American has a robust indifference to eternity. "Attend church on Sunday and listen to the sermon, but don't bother about the future," he seems to say. Also, he seems to echo Omar Khayyam's philosophy: "Dead yesterday and unborn tomorrow, why fret about them if today be sweet?" He works hard and earnestly, acquires wealth and enjoys life. He has no time to worry about the afterlife, only taking care to draw up a proper will and trusting the funeral home to take care of the rest. The Indian in America who is not able to live wholeheartedly on this basis finds himself in a halfway house; he is unable to overcome his conflicts while physically flourishing on American soil. One may hope that the next generation of American-grown Indians will do better by accepting the American climate spontaneously or, alternatively, returning to India to a live a different life."
Those are interesting choices that Narayan offers at the end of that paragraph. Are there any others? This all reminded me a great deal of the movie The Namesake. Also, do you think Narayan is right about Americans? "The American has a robust indifference to eternity." Wow.
World Affairs | By jackdas | 11:29 AM
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Comments
I think that's pretty accurate.
Have you read "The Kite Runner?" I'm reading it right now. Last night I had to stay up reading an extra hour to get past a particularly gritty scene in the novel (so I could sleep).
Posted by: Heidi H. at July 16, 2007 6:43 PM
Neil,
Is "The Namesake" on DVD yet? I really want to see it! I think Narayan, has a valid argument when referring to American culture over all, but praise God for biblical Christians that lovingly challenge cultural norms. Really, the alien (though I dislike that word) and the Christian are quite similar: both find themselves in a land not their own, both struggle to not be defined by the predominate culture, yet both must engage the culture if they desire to live within it. Redemption please Jesus!
Posted by: Heidi Vincent at July 17, 2007 8:31 AM
Heidi V., unfortunately The Namesake does not come out until October 9th. Here is a good site to check on that sort of stuff: http://videoeta.com/
You have a good point with the Christian being similar to "alien" in living in oppostion to or tension with the culture. To add a bit of nuance, though, there are unique sinful failings in each culture against which Christians must live in opposition. And, yes, there are many in India as well, including the devaluing of certain classes of people and a general culture of social lying and some negatives from being too close as families, to name a just a few.
Heidi H. I have not read The Kiterunner but need to as it has been recommended to me several times.
Posted by: Neil E. Das at July 17, 2007 9:27 AM
Good point Neil; cultural sins are very important to factor in!
Posted by: Heidi Vincent at July 17, 2007 9:40 AM
