Movie Clip: Ashoke Ganguli Born In Calcutta, India Moves To

Movie Clipashoke Ganguli Born In Calcutta India Moves To

Ashoke Ganguli, born in Calcutta, India, moves to America to study at an American university in New York. He returns to India to get married, and he and his wife subsequently return to New York. They have children, a son named Gogol and a daughter, who are very much Americanized and see the world differently from their parents. Gogol falls in love with Maxine Ratliff and moves in with her family, which causes emotional distress for his parents. In the scene under discussion, Gogol’s mother wants him to visit home, but he has plans with his American girlfriend. This scenario exemplifies how culture influences relationships—specifically, relationships between parents and children, and between boyfriends and girlfriends. Cultural backgrounds shape individuals' expectations, behaviors, and values in relationships, leading to differences in how relationships are perceived and maintained.

Different cultures have varying perspectives on the roles, responsibilities, and importance of familial and romantic relationships. In collectivist cultures, such as Indian society, family bondages are strong, and individuals often prioritize family approval and obligations over personal desires. Respect for elders, filial piety, and arranged marriages are common, emphasizing the collective harmony over individual preferences. Conversely, in individualistic societies like the United States, personal freedom, self-expression, and romantic love are highly valued, with individuals making independent choices about relationships without as much family interference.

These cultural differences influence behaviors such as communication styles, decision-making, and conflict resolution within relationships. For instance, Indian families may perceive Western independence and individualism as a challenge to familial authority and social cohesion, whereas Western families may see close family ties and obedience as restrictive. Consequently, misunderstandings or conflicts often arise when individuals from different cultural backgrounds navigate relationships, especially in multicultural settings like America, where diverse values coexist.

The three dimensions of interpersonal relationships— intimacy, power, and communication—are key in understanding how cultural influences shape relational dynamics. These dimensions can manifest differently across cultures. Intimacy, or emotional closeness, may be openly expressed in Western cultures through verbal communication and physical affection, whereas in some Eastern cultures, emotional closeness might be demonstrated through actions rather than words. Power dynamics relate to authority, hierarchy, and control within relationships; for example, in many Asian cultures, authority figures are respected, and decisions are often made by elders, contrasting with the more egalitarian views prevalent in Western societies. Communication styles—ranging from direct and explicit to indirect and context-dependent—also play a crucial role in how relationships are formed and maintained, with culture influencing whether overt expression is preferred or subtlety and reading between the lines are valued.

References

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