Culture is a determining factor of our daily actions, and beliefs, but its effect on our chances of success, is especially noteworthy. In the stories “Whites” by Julie Otsuka, and “Every Little Hurricane” by Sherman Alexie, cultural attitudes and beliefs lead them to have different prospects in life. The two stories demonstrate how culture affects individuals since it influences one’s chances at success, as well as the success of his or her society.
Cultural attitudes influences the chances of success for individuals and their society. In the story “Whites”, the Japanese immigrants live lives full of overwhelming challenges and adversity from their jobs and life, but they persist as a result of their cultural attitude. “One day, we promised ourselves, we would leave them. [The Americans and their adversity] We…show more content… Instead of giving up, the Japanese immigrants’ cultural attidue motivates them to continue to work diligently and to perseve despite of difficulty. They stoically endure the strenuous work, and the degrading abuse they receive from their employers, all the while preparing for their future. On the other hand, Victor’s family in “Every Little Hurricane” lack the cultural attitudes of the Japanese. Victor discovers this when he discovers his parents after a drinking spree. “Victor lay between his parents [who passed out after overconsumption of alcohol] [...] There was enough hunger in both, enough of everything to destroy the reservation and leave only random debris…”(Alexie 10-11). His parent’s reliance on alcohol indicates that they have lost hope. Unlike the Japanese immigrants, they lack the cultural attitude of persistence, preparation for the future, and family; they to turn to the bottle to provide
