Critical analysis of different literature is significant in understanding the plot, the main ideas, and the domain of these works. Thus, this analytical treatise attempts to explicitly review the aspects of regionalism on line setting, national identity creation strategies, and character trait analysis in the books, “The Boat” by MacLeod, “Two Kinds” by Tan, and “Borders” by King.
Regionalism and Setting
In the stories “Two Kinds” and “The Boat”, the authors explore the significant aspects of setting such as location, circumstances, tone and time to expand on regionalism. For instance, in the story, “Two Kinds”, the author paints a picture of a conservative society setting in the milieu beyond the mere narration. The picture of America is of a nation that is characterized by beliefs in possibility.
This rationalization facilitates establishment of calculating motivation dominated purely by goal orientation with minimal interference from the values and traditions discussed across the book. Therefore, the paradigm shift from old mobility forms is replaced by stringent rules that form the plot. On the other hand, in the story, “The Boat”, the author uses the concept of the traditional cage to describe the inherent increase in social life rationalization in the conservative society of the main character.
As noted by Macleod, this traditional cage ensnares people unwillingly in teleological effectiveness coordination, power and lucid calculations in their endeavor to forge a common identity. On the front of regionalism, the traditional cage is characterized by defining rules, disciplinary control, and recognition of outstanding social behavior. These aspects confirm the complex regionalism settings in these stories.
Post Colonialism development Strategies
Postcolonialism development consists of a hierarchical order of authority, efficiency, labor division, which subsequently promotes collective commitment to the growth of a nation. For instance, Tan, in the story “Two Kinds” suggests the principles of rationale actively interchanged to efficiently meet targets and periodical goals in a developing country.
Since post-colonial countries have small number of controls in the activities and life of the majority, this strategy is likely to generate a balanced economic and political power. As a result of the aforementioned tendencies, Tan predicts an evolution of flexible, technically ordered, and humanized systems where man becomes a social being that is considerate about the well-being of his neighbors.
On the other hand, in the story “The Boat”, MacLeod suggests coordinated domination, which defines compliance from rational calculation to simple habitation. Depending on its form, dominance is intrinsic of an interest. MacLeod is categorical is asserting that dominance uses economic means and have economic objectives for the post-colonial development goals. Same as in a typical organization, dominance is arranged in a hierarchical order with each segment of the management ladder entrusted with authority to make certain decisions and dominate others. However, the success of this type of dominance depends on its motive and calculated advantage.
In addition, in the story “Boarders”, King suggests that the facet of free repudiation is possible amidst the involuntary slave-master relationship during colonialism. Formal domination is described as that which is free of monopolistic exertion of economic power to contractual partners (Macleod 1988).
Rather, this is affected by elements of ideal and effectual supplementary interests in development goals. Interestingly, these authors opine that the authority is a legitimate domination form characterized by subordinates recognizing its legitimacy and respecting the hierarchal order in post-colonial development intentions. However, legitimacy has little to do with right, natural justice, and rationality. Rather, the legitimacy of domination is determined by obedience, acceptance, and association with desirability amidst priorities.
Characters’ Beliefs
In the story “Two Kinds”, Mr. Chong’s obligation to loyalty is a personal decision that is accustomed by the traditions (Tan 1994). Chong’s charismatic authority functions on personal trust subordinates bestow in his outstanding qualities admired by the narrator despite being blind. Due to an extraordinary trait, subordinates obey this individual whom they believe has special command.
Mr. Chong’s religious inclinations are influenced by spirits and deities and often climax with pursuing personal interests rather the collective interest as indicated by the society.
In the relationship between brotherliness and economic clandestine, Chong’s rational beliefs are inclined towards vocation and radical mystic anti-political attitude that has been internalized by religion as a form of redemption with cosmic brotherliness and benevolence. In fact, Chong’s behavior is a response to the tension between worldly life forces and religion as irrational social beliefs characterized by stereotyping, ecstasy techniques, and spontaneous play in belief spectrum.
The narrator in the story “The Boat” holds the view that religion is only complete when practice rationally, independently, and with intellectual epochs. The narrator believes that the relationship between religion and art has created alliances that are sometimes misused by extremists to create unnecessary propaganda (King 2003). The narrator is a restless person with inner conviction to challenge traditions since mankind is given little room to question some of the traditional beliefs and hierarchy relationships.
When a person understands his or her true identity and the factors monitoring his development as the narrator has, assimilation process would only lead to temporary alterations that will balance upon complete exposure to new ideas. The narrator is an independent, flexible, respectful, and an appreciative person unlike most of the members of that community whose lives are controlled by complex traditional beliefs.
References
King, T. (2003). Borders. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Macleod, A. (1988). The Boat. New York: Formac Publishing Company.
Tan, A. (1994). Two Kinds. Alabama: Paulinas.