Project 3

Grace Carcot

California Literature

6, May 2019

Cultural background and personal beliefs, as well as morals a person has, can play a role in molding one's life and events that occur in it. Author and main character Kieu in the book Vietnam Eazy written by Trami Nguyen Cron and Patapir and Ifpi in the story About the House Girl written by Jack Hicks experience events in life different way due to their cultural background and upbrings which influence their actions and others around them in their life. Different elements in the stories have played out to be similar and different, both main characters in the stories have had upbringings that were influenced by their cultural background. Kieu and Patapir, the main characters in both stories have found different ways to deal with their emotions and situations they face that are a reflection of their heritage and background.

Cultural background and experiences someone has been through plays a role in shaping them into who they have become, making not one person's story the same as another. The two stories Vietnamese Eazy and about the house girl can both act as evidence to exactly that, the characters in the stories have been influenced by their cultures in both good and bad ways. Kieu and patapir’s life and upbringing are quite different from one another, which makes them unique and allows them to go through times in life in a different way from one another but they are able to connect on knowing what it may feel like to have your cultural customs dictate part of your life. Trami Cron writes in her book about a personal story and what it may look like for a girl to grow up in Vietnamese culture. The book Vietnam Eazy tells a story of how the main character: Kieu’s life is majorly built upon her Vietnamese upbringing, the customs within it and the rules within her culture which have all influenced and controlled her life in some aspect. The two cultures being explored through the main characters inform the reader that in Kieu’s Vietnamese culture women are taught young to sacrifice everything they may want to achieve in life for their husbands' dreams and support them instead. Patapir and Ifapis culture has a quite different influence on what is expected from the different genders in their culture.  Patapir, being the man in his village goes to seek out a girl he wants to marry and be with, in this story he is in awe by Ifapi and does everything he can to be with her. He finds a way to do anything to be with Ifapi and they would go out to be with each and support each other's dreams and not just one person's ambitions. The cultural background has influenced Kieu, patapir and ifapi’s life, influencing life choices and making each of their stories unique.

In these two stories, it is not just the main characters being influenced by the cultural background but also others who are close to them and in their society. Kieu’s mother, being a very strong, strict and determined woman of her culture has played a huge role in shaping Kieu into the person she has become.  and influence as well as determining many of her life events. In the story about the house girl, we have seen similar influences in Ifapis life. Ifapis aunt who is a mother figure in her life seems to want what is best for her in a more relaxed way but it is seen through her actions that she wants to guard and protect her. When Patapir wanted to see Ifapi be with her Ifapi’s aunts response was rooted out of love “ Ifapi turned toward him; but before she could speak, her aunt saw what he was doing and spoke up sharply. “ Do not touch her, “ (46 Hicks)  Ifapi’s Aunt was out to protect her for her own good, she didn't want her to be in harm or get hurt but once Patapir proved himself to the Aunt she supported the two of them. Their culture influenced everyone in this situation causing them to act the way they did which ended up leaving everyone happy and supportive. The difference in the way the mother figures come to term with accepting events that have happened or are going to happen in their child's lives. The Aunt of Ifapi came to acceptance and approval of her being with Patapir. In Vietnam Eazy, the mother of Trami would not give up on her strict rules and expectations of her daughter.

Beauty outward and inwardly is perceived and taught quite differently among these two stories and culture. In Vietnam Eazy within the first few pages of the story it is already being discussed how Vietnamese Women are raised to have no self-love but are raised to disapprove and not like themselves, this is instilled into them so much then many come to terms with hating the way they look and want to change their appearance with hopes they and others may view them with more respect. Trami Cron writes “ I was not dainty and pretty enough, at least not by Vietnamese standards” (3 Cron) and “many opt for surgery to change their eyelids, Some use scotch tape at night to hold back their eyelids” (3 Cron) that is a glimpse into how shameful Vietnamese women became of themselves. Those ways of women viewing herself like that in Vietnamese culture was commonly practiced and taught by many women. Ifapis culture in the book About The House Girl practices quite a different approach and idea of how one should perceive themselves in society and be done so in a much more valuable way teaching girls to honor their beauty but save it for the man they want to be with.

Similarities and differences have emerged from the two stories Vietnam Eazy by Trami cron and About the house girl by Jack Hicks. Cultural background and customs have influenced all of the main characters life and have planned a role in determining the outcome of events one may go through. Kieu, Patapir, and Ifapi were all impacted by their culture, characters and different elements in the story. Without influence from culture, characters, and different elements they would not each have a unique story to tell.

Cron Trami, “Vietnam Eazy”, Wellstone Books,  2016

Hicks Jack, “ About-the-House-Girl”, The Literature of California, 2000