The Importance of Culture and Nature

“A Father”, “The Path to the Milky Way Leads through Los Angeles”, and “A Bedtime Story” all present the importance of culture and nature. All these stories show the many diverse cultures around the world while also tying in the appreciation of nature. These works show that nature is real, it is not a manufactured item that is sold on the market for a certain price; nature is priceless and we have to learn to appreciate our surrounding which God so graciously gave us.
In “A Father” the narrator shows the life of an Indian family that moved to America. With this great opportunity also came a culture shock compared to their lives back in India. Even though it is easy to become swayed by the American culture and daily habits, the father stays true to his strong religious beliefs and traditions. After his many daily rituals and his clear dedication to his culture, it becomes clear that he never wanted to leave India. The idea was his wife’s; even though he never wanted to move though, he was still able to adapt to the American culture which made him a worldlier human being. And if the American culture isn’t already a shock, he soon finds out that his daughter is pregnant and without a husband. The wife makes this clear by saying, “Your daughter is pregnant, yes,” she said, “any fool knows that. But ask her the name of the father. Go ask.” This quotation clearly shows that it is a shock even in the American culture, but the father is able to experience this and grow from the fast-paced American life-style.
“The Path to the Milky Way Leads through Los Angeles” is about the constant clash of cultures in society. Many immigrants and minorities who come to America find it very difficult to adapt to the culture shock of the American life-style. America is considered to be one big melting pot although many times for newcomers it can seem like one big tossed salad; all the pieces are together in one environment and yet each item has its own reason for not fitting in and becoming lost in the fast-paced American culture. This poem is very interesting because it presents the loneliness that a Native American woman feels when she is placed in Los Angeles, “the city named for angels” which “appears naked and stripped of anything resembling.” Her loneliness is a result of her nature loving culture of the Native Americans mixed in with the smog, fast-food loving culture, in which Los Angeles offers. Towards the end of the poem, the woman realizes that although she is not too satisfied with the American culture, she knows that she will always find beauty in nature and that ultimately will get her through the daily struggles.
“A Bedtime Story” is about a Japanese woman who finds herself in a small village with no place to stay. The village people refuse to give her a bed for the night so she is forced to sleep on a hilltop. As she is lying down, she sees the beautiful stars and glimmering full moon come into view and she is so thankful. The Japanese woman is given a great gift for the night; she is given the beautiful gift of nature at its best. The shining moon makes her realize that she would much rather sleep under the bright sky than in a dark room.
Altogether, these three works present the importance of culture and appreciation of nature. Without diversity our world would be one big robot with everyone doing the exact same routines which would take away from our freedom and personal expression. Although, more importantly we cannot live without nature; therefore we should appreciate the gifts which surround us and the true beauty which nature offers.