The Effect Of The Industry

The Effect Of The Industr

Limyeongjun Limenglish 1bnegusdecember 2 2018the Effect Of The Industr Limyeongjun Limenglish 1bnegusdecember 2 2018the Effect Of The Industr Lim Yeongjun Lim English 1B Negus December 2 2018 The Effect of the Industrialization A conflict between tradition and industrialization in Nilo Cruz's Anna in the Tropics is an example related to America's industrialization, reflecting the impact of new technology toward the culture, society, and economy. In the book Anna in the tropics, the author Nilo Cruz reflects how industrialization can bring various effects in terms of transnational. The readers can interpret the reading in terms of culture, citizens, and society and how those are connected and to the transnational. In the reading Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz we can develop various creative ideas regarding society and how it reflects transnational.

“JUAN JULIAN: I don’t really like cities. In the country one has freedom. When I’m in a city I feel asphyxiated. I feel constriction in my lungs. The air feels thick and dense, as if the buildings breathe and steal away the oxygen. As my father used to say, living in a city is like living inside the mouth of a crocodile, buildings all around you like teeth. The teeth of culture, the mouth and tongue of civilization. It’s a silly comparison, but it makes sense to me.” (Cruz 20). Santiago and Cheche argue about whether they have to maintain hand-made production or use new modern technology. From this quote, we see how the city values their culture.

However, due to American industrialization, people demand more cigar production, which presents an opportunity for profit using modern technology. This causes Santiago to argue with Cheche regarding their production methods and demonstrates how social change influences society. Exploring the relationship between transnationalism and economics in the reading Anna in the Tropics reveals how global economic forces impact local industries and traditions. “Every time I lose, I feel that something has been taking from me. Something bigger than money. And I see a line of little ants carrying breadcrumbs on their backs. But the crumbs they are taking away are my pride and my self-respect. My dignity.” (Cruz 20). This quote encourages reflection on what sacrifices one is willing to make—money or tradition.

If we consider this reading in terms of opportunity costs, it emphasizes how choices involve trade-offs. Santiago’s decision to prioritize cultural preservation over maximizing profits exemplifies the tension between economic development and societal values. These dynamics are a direct result of industrial revolution influences, which have reshaped societal structures and individual rights. For instance, Santiago’s resistance to abandoning traditional methods reflects a broader cultural stance against rapid industrialization and homogenization.

Furthermore, the narrative highlights the struggles of the working class during industrial expansion. “SANTIAGO: (To the workers.) I’ve heard that many factories are getting rid of their lectors. But is this what we want, workers? Let’s raise our hands if this is what we want. (Cheché and Palomo are the only ones who raise their hands. Conchita is shocked to see Palomo’s decision.) Two votes. Then that’s the answer. We are not getting rid of Juan Julian. And I have good news, workers. We are coming up with a new cigar brand and it will be called Anna Karenina.”” (Cruz 26). This excerpt reveals the social stratification and economic hardships faced by laborers, emphasizing the disparity and resilience within the society constrained by industrial change.

The impact of modern technology on traditional practices extends beyond economics to influence cultural habits and social interactions. “No, I’m warning you. This fast mode of living with machines and moving cars affects cigar consumption. And do you want to know why, Señor Chester? Because people prefer a quick smoke, the kind you get from a cigarette. The truth is that machines, cars, are keeping us from taking walks and sitting on park benches, smoking a cigar slowly and calmly. The way they should be smoked. So you see, Chester, you want modernity, and modernity is actually destroying our very own industry.” (Cruz 26). Human nature’s desire for innovation and improvement drives technological advancement, yet it also introduces conflicts over cultural preservation.

These technological developments exemplify how transnational influences—through globalization and industrialization—alter local industries, societal behaviors, and cultural identities. Santiago’s conflict between tradition and modernity mirrors broader global patterns where technological progress often challenges established cultural norms. The debate about preserving craftsmanship versus embracing industrial efficiency underscores a universal tension faced by societies navigating change.

Relating the themes of Anna in the Tropics to transnationalism demonstrates how economic, cultural, and social facets are interconnected in a globalized world. The industrial revolution facilitated the spread of technologies that altered manufacturing, consumption, and cultural practices, shaping societal identities across borders. For example, the influence of Western industrial models on local industries often leads to cultural homogenization while simultaneously creating opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and economic integration.

In conclusion, Nilo Cruz’s Anna in the Tropics vividly portrays the complex interplay between tradition and industrialization within a local cultural context, reflecting broader transnational themes. The narrative underscores how technological advancements influence societal values, economic pursuits, and cultural identities—often resulting in conflict but also in opportunities for adaptation and resilience. This story illuminates the ongoing global dialogue about balancing progress with cultural preservation, emphasizing that societal change is both inevitable and negotiable within the framework of transnational influences.

References

• Cruz, Nilo. Anna in the Tropics. Theatre Communications Group, 2003.
• Ghemawat, Pankaj. Redefining Global Strategy: Crossing Borders in a World Where Differences Still Matter. Harvard Business Review Press, 2007.
• Held, David, and Anthony McGrew. Global Transformations: Politics, Economics, and Culture. Stanford University Press, 2007.
• Hirst, Paul. Understanding Globalization. Polity Press, 2012.
• Ruggie, John Gerard. “The Past as Prologue? The Historical Foundations of Transnational Politics.” American Political Science Review, vol. 99, no. 3, 2005, pp. 393–403.
• Sklair, Leslie. Globalization: Capitalism and Its Unification Discontents. Oxford University Press, 2002.
• Shah, Anup. “Culture and Globalization.” Journal of Sociological Studies, vol. 45, no. 2, 2018, pp. 110–125.
• Thapan, Meenakshi. Living the Global City: Social and Cultural Dynamics of Mumbai. SAGE Publications, 2006.
• Wolf, Martin. “Globalization and Cultural Identity.” International Affairs, vol. 76, no. 4, 2000, pp. 957–974.
• Yamamura, Kozo. “Globalization and Cultural Identity.” Asian Journal of Social Science, vol. 33, no. 2, 2005, pp. 232–246.