The clash of cultures in Ballard`s Empire of the sun
... Japanese, just because he was curious in them. It can be seen very easily, what is valuable for each of the communities, which lived in Shanghai and Jim’s values were described as mixture of values of these different people. Ballard described also in what each community was good at. British seemed to me as a conservative nation, what made good diplomats of them. In a sense, too, the homework helped the physician to sustain the illusion that even in Lunghua Camp the values of a vanished England still survived. Misguided though this was, Jim was keen to help Dr Ransom in any way. (3) Americans valued their consume system. They were good merchants. Japanese were raised in rating system, that is why they were excellent soldiers. Also, they were highly developed nation with great technology. Their airplanes could be compared with American. Chinese did not exceed in anything particular. They had their habits, their way of life, which they tried to keep. They were good slaves and servants, because they did not gave up or refused to do what they were told to do. Jim was again a mixture of these communities, because he was good diplomat, he communicated with dangerous people, but he knew what to say, so they did not kill him. Also he was good merchant, because he knew how to sell his knowledge, so Basie kept him alive. In spite of he was small, he knew many things about airplanes and flying. Together with his respect to Japanese, he could easily be Japanese soldier. Because of the need to stay alive, he also worked as the Chinese slave if he had to. The nations, Ballard described, were excellent in different things and Jim tried to be good in all of them. These people vary also because of their actions. Brits were stiff and quiet community. They suffered calmly without trying to change. Americans did anything what helped them survive not just physically, but also psychically. They tried to make their beds as comfortable as possible, also they collected things, so they could do something interesting or just make their places nicer. Japanese were also suffering, but they did not show it. They act as everything was OK, even though they have to know, that they will loose the war. Chinese were doing anything just to stay alive. They did not care if they were acting like animals. Jim also tried to live as comfortable as possible like American community, but he did not tried to cheer the other Brits. Also he did not show he is suffering, he did not ask Mrs. Philips to help him, what could be compared with Japanese way of acting. If it was necessary, he made anything Basie and others told him. He crossed the borders of camp, even though it was dangerous, just because they told him to do it. This could be compared to Chinese behavior. The acting of each member of same community was same, the only one, who acted differently, as the situations varied, was Jim. It was interesting to find out each communities` believes. Americans believed in future, in themselves and in their country. They were sure that they are strong enough to survive until their army will come to rescue them. They condoms as the money, because they were sure they will be free in near future and they will need them. Brits believed in God (2) and in their importance. They did not do anything for themselves or for others, because they believed they are too important to do something. “You shouldn’t work for Basie. The things those Americans ask you to do… I’ve told you that we come first.” (3) “They don’t need to kill us, Mr Maxted…” “Of course they don’t, Jim.” “Mr Maxted, they don’t need to, because…” “Jim!” Mr Maxted cuffed Jim, then pressed the boy’s head to his emaciated chest. “Remember you’re British.” (3) Japanese soldiers believed to their chiefs. If anybody, who was at higher position, told them anything, they did it. They even throw their lives as kamikaze pilots, because they believed it is good to do it. Chinese did not seem to believe anything. They did what they think should be done, because all of the Chinese did it. Ballard like to mix reality with dreams, hallucinations or imagination what can be seen in Jim’s believes. Jim’s believes were like. He was not sure what he should believe, so his believes were mixed up. He believed that the war will end, because of Americans, but he thought that it would be just the beginning of another war. Also, sometimes he believed he is death or that he brought dead people to life. People from different countries believed in different things, because they were raised to believe certain things and they were used to it, but Jim was very young and he saw very strange things, so he did not know what he should really believe in. “I want to reserve a room for my parents – th...