Cultural misunderstandings and their impact

In an era of increasing interconnectedness, cultural misunderstandings and prejudices persist as pervasive issues, exerting a substantial influence on social interactions and relationships. The emergence of cultural misunderstandings can be attributed to the misinterpretation of behaviors and communication styles among individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, giving rise to misconceptions and the reinforcement of existing biases.

Prejudices, often deeply entrenched and manifesting at an unconscious level, are preconceived opinions or attitudes about individuals or groups formed without direct experience. These biases are perpetuated through various channels, including media representation, language, and societal scapegoating, ultimately leading to discrimination and social divisions. Understanding the mechanisms behind cultural misunderstandings and prejudices is crucial to fostering an inclusive and respectful society. This essay explores the roots and consequences of cultural misunderstandings and prejudices, examining how they manifest in interactions and proposing strategies to address and mitigate their effects.

By delving into the complexities of cultural biases and the unconscious mind, this analysis provides a comprehensive framework for promoting awareness and open communication as essential tools in combating prejudice. Additionally, I will present a few examples from Lasha Bugadze's 2009 novel, The Literature Express¹, where the intricacies of cultural prejudices are vividly depicted through the interactions among characters from diverse backgrounds. The narrative follows a group of writers who travel across Europe by train to attend literary events. It highlights the self-absorption of the writers and their inability to communicate with one another, as they are inward-looking and largely disinterested in their fellow travelers' work.

Understanding prejudices

Despite the common aspiration to remain free from prejudice, nearly everyone has absorbed some biases over time, often unconsciously. The iceberg model is a useful metaphor for understanding how our minds work. Only a small fraction of our mental processes—roughly 10%—are visible and conscious, while the vast majority—about 90%—lie beneath the surface in the unconscious mind. This repressed component of the mind encompasses memories, emotions, and experiences that exert a profound influence on behavior, often operating beneath the conscious awareness of the individual. Prejudice frequently manifests at this unconscious level, indicating that many individuals remain unaware of their own biases.

Prejudices are preconceived and often biased opinions or attitudes about individuals or groups, often formed without direct experience. As the protagonist of the novel The Literature Express mentions at the beginning of his train ride, "it's awful how irritating we find someone without even knowing them"(12).The protagonist himself is rife with biases and prejudices, deciding that any act of communication is useless and choosing to avoid talking to his fellow writers who were also on the train. A few pages later he even admits, “I had no wish to meet anyone. I even regretted I had to spend a whole month looking at these faces”(17). His biases, akin to those of many individuals, are profoundly entrenched, offering a simplistic perspective on reality that effectively disregards the potential variations among group members.

Types of prejudices

Prejudices can be broadly categorized into two distinct types: cultural and non-cultural. Each type possesses unique characteristics and sources of bias. Cultural prejudices encompass a wide range of racial biases, including the adoption of negative attitudes or beliefs concerning an individual's race or ethnicity. These biases may manifest in beliefs about the superiority or inferiority of one race over another, or in assumptions about an individual's behavior based solely on their racial background. A prime example of this would be the assumption that individuals of a certain race are inherently more prone to criminal behavior.

Other forms of prejudice, such as religious prejudices, involve negative attitudes stemming from an individual's religion or spiritual beliefs. Other forms of prejudice specifically pertain to cultural differences, entailing the stereotyping of individuals based on their cultural background, frequently disregarding the heterogeneity present within a given cultural group. To illustrate, one might assume that individuals from a particular nation are inherently lazy or unmotivated, basing this assumption on cultural stereotypes.

To take an example from the novel in question, The Literature Express, a poignant scene unfolds among the writers on a train. A character from a Western European country makes an offhand remark about another character's Eastern European heritage. This seemingly innocuous remark implies a cultural and sophistication gap between Eastern and Western Europe. This scene reveals the character's deeply held stereotypical beliefs, despite the lack of intent to cause harm.

The target character's reaction, characterized by a mixture of frustration and resignation, suggests that he has encountered similar prejudices on numerous occasions. This particular scene underscores the ways in which unconscious bias can perpetuate discrimination and serve to reinforce existing power imbalances. This scene in the novel, in which one character subconsciously assumes that another fellow writer is less sophisticated simply because he is from Eastern Europe, vividly illustrates the concept of microaggressions, where seemingly minor comments or actions, when accumulated over time, can cause significant psychological distress.

Dissemination of prejudices

As the train ride progresses, the fellow writers engage in a discourse on their writing process, ostensibly composing their next successful novel while perusing newspaper articles. In a subsequent scene that underscores the potential for misinterpretation of cultural differences due to preconceived notions, a character encounters a sensationalist article from a prominent European newspaper highlighting the alleged surge in crime rates in Eastern Europe. As the characters engage in discourse on the article, it becomes evident that the media's depiction serves to reinforce their pre-existing biases, leading to expressions of concern regarding travel to Eastern Europe.

The protagonist, being a native of Eastern Europe, experiences a blend of frustration and defensiveness. He endeavors to elucidate the realities of his homeland, yet the media's compelling narrative proves challenging to alter the other characters' perspectives. This scene elucidates how the propagation of prejudices is a multifaceted phenomenon influenced by various factors, including the role of the media in shaping opinions and reinforcing existing prejudices.

The role of language in transmitting prejudices

In commenting on his previous nomadic travels, one of the characters alluded to his lifestyle as that of a "gypsy," a term that implies a degree of mobility and a rejection of established social conventions. This word choice was not intended to inflict harm, but rather to convey a sense of adventure. However, it served to reinforce the negative stereotype associated with the Romani people. The choice of words in conveying a message is of significant importance, and language plays a crucial role in the transmission of prejudices, often through subtle and unintentional comments known as microaggressions. Although the fellow traveler describing himself as a gypsy did not intend to cause harm, he did utilize a term that carries historical prejudices and has the potential to be offensive. This seemingly innocuous act, however, serves to perpetuate preexisting power imbalances and the propagation of prejudices and underscores the critical importance of awareness in effective communication.

Consequences of prejudices

Prejudices can profoundly influence first impressions, hinder openness to new ideas, and erode the foundation of trust necessary for effective communication. They can lead to sadness and anger in those who are targets of prejudice, while also causing inner conflict and social isolation in those who harbor prejudices. As evidenced by the literary passages examined in the preceding pages, prejudices have the potential to ignite tension and discord among characters. The targeted individual experiences feelings of hurt and marginalization in response to the biased remarks, leading to an overall atmosphere of tension, misunderstandings, emotional distress, and strained interpersonal relationships.

Notwithstanding the pervasive tension and discord among the writers, the train ride is not devoid of moments of respite. During a literary event, one character is profoundly affected by a moving reading, prompting introspection and a reevaluation of his own misconceptions. A scene such as this one illustrates how engaging in honest conversations and listening to personal stories can challenge and reduce prejudices, fostering mutual respect and understanding. Indeed, addressing cultural misunderstandings and prejudices necessitates a multifaceted approach involving open communication, the ability and the will to listen to others, therefore dialogue, and the creation of environments that encourage open communication.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is evident that cultural misunderstandings and prejudices continue to exert a substantial influence on social interactions and relationships in our interconnected world. This essay has employed a dual approach of cultural analysis and literary examination to explore the origins and ramifications of these biases, emphasizing their embodiment in both quotidian life and fictional narratives. Lasha Bugadze's novel The Literature Express provides a vivid illustration of how deeply entrenched prejudices can shape behavior and perceptions. The characters' interactions and experiences on their journey across Europe serve as a microcosm of broader societal issues, illustrating the harmful effects of stereotypes, media representation, and language on interpersonal relationships. The novel's portrayal of microaggressions, biased remarks, and the struggle for mutual understanding underscores the pervasive nature of these biases and the emotional toll they take on individuals.

This essay underscores the importance of awareness and open communication in combating these deep-seated biases by analyzing both the cultural and literary aspects of prejudice. Engaging in honest dialogues, listening to personal stories, and challenging preconceived notions are essential steps toward fostering a more inclusive and respectful society. As shown towards the end of the novel The Literature Express, personal reflection and empathy can lead to a reevaluation of one's own prejudices and a greater appreciation for cultural diversity.