Culture Clashes in the two novelsThings fall apart Chinua Achebe and Term Paper - 1

Culture Clashes in the two novelsThings fall apart Chinua Achebe and Lolita Vladimir Nabokov - Term Paper Example The following essay is an effort to portray the clash of cultures as the main protagonists interact with the people of different culture, the difficulties they face and the differences they experience. Igbo Okonkwo is a Negro whose interaction with British colonialists’ causes much of chaos in his life and the same is true with Humbert who is unable to understand what is going on in Lolita’s life. In both the novels, protagonists’ lives end in misery making us to think about our lost roots of heritage and our own identity. Chinua Achebe tells us the life of an Igbo who has himself experienced and seen culture of the people falling under the walls of the British colonial power. When British and other whites interfered in simple lives of Africans, it brought chaos and disturbance in their cultural and religious lives. Throughout the novel, people are seen facing conflicting situations in their daily affairs and even in their religious lives. Okonkwo is both a good farmer and a warrior and has gained two titles for his clan; has three wives, is owner of two barns full of yarns and a considerably big house revealing his achievements. He has got this success because of his father’s failures in life, which shows us type of the difficulties he must have borne in his life. He is revered and respected by his clan, as per his custom â€Å"Age was respected among his people, but achievement was revered.  As the elders said, if a child washed his hands he could eat with kings† (Achebe 6). While in Lolita, when Humbert of European origin and Charlotte Haze as well as Lolita, both Americans, get to know each other, it leads to conflicting situations in their lives. The glamour and intellect of Humbert fascinates Charlotte while on the other hand Humbert laughs at the superficial aspects and civilized nature of the Americans. He looks at Charlotte not more than a simple housewife whereas considers Lolita as a sexual symbol. He is

Culteral and Ethical Factors for International Business in Brazil Essay

Culteral and Ethical Factors for International Business in Brazil - Essay Example Ethics plays a big role in the international affairs of multinational companies. A practice that a business would not even contemplate in its home country could be an acceptable method of doing business in a foreign country. For example many third would countries have governmental institutions which require money offerings to officials in order to be able to be able to realize business in the region. Certain countries have extremely low environmental standards. Companies are sometimes tempted to lower their standards, even though they have full knowledge that by doing so they will cause tremendous damage to the environment. Brazil has been highly influenced by its Europeans ancestors. The personal appearance of Brazilians which affects business activities in the clothing and apparels segments is geared towards a European style. Italian fashion is the preferred style of the urban Brazilian (CultureGrams World Edition, 2007). Businesses have also been greatly influenced by the country’s conversion into democracy in the late 1980’s. Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. Spanish is spoken a bit in Brazil in the bordering Spanish speaking countries. Male Brazilians greet each other with handshakes. Male to female and females among them greet each other with up to three kisses in the cheek or with a kiss in the head. Personal space is highly valued and when two people are speaking to each other it is considered very rude to walk near them. Gestures are utilized by the people to express their feelings. For example pulling down the lower eyelid with an index finger signifies disbelief or caution (CultureGrams World Edition, 2007). The educational system of Brazil is based on a primary and secondary school system. Children spend eight years in primary school followed by three years of secondary school. The national university system is very prestigious