Summary Of Mystic Masseur

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Introduction This paper would endeavor to expound on author V.S Naipaul’s juxtaposition of the terms “meal” and “alienation” in the extract “The Mystic Masseur”. In doing so, comments would be made on the references taken from the extract which shows how the food is related to cultural identity. Moreover, the references would show how food is also used to show cultural imperialism as one culture subtly attempts to make their culture the dominant culture by influencing the perceived lesser culture to adapt o their rituals/ manners. “The meal was torture to Ganesh. He felt alien and uncomfortable.” This statement brings to mind the thought that Ganesh doesn’t want to practice the etiquette of the European culture. Ganesh seems to be comfortable within his culture, even though he speaks European English; he still shows interest in keeping his own culture and not allowing himself to move to the Europeanized end of the continuum. This situation is likened unto a continuum, one end being Indigenous, the other end being Europeanized because colonization or adapting to the culture of another ethnic group doesn’t occur abruptly. It happens gradually as one must learn the culture of another group through social interactions. Comments Culture includes rituals, utensils, food etc. The integration of these core cultural values distinguishes one culture from another and by adapting to the rituals (etiquette, manners) and moreover the food of an alien culture, a people would change their indigenous identity. The term “Food” is used a lot in this extract because food is a core aspect of one’s culture. Moreover, the way in which the food is eaten is another important factor which distinguishes one culture from another. In addition, partaking of the food shows the movement for one end of the continuum to the other. The first reference to food in the extract, “The members of the

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