Anne Fadiman’s The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down manages to evoke a critical issue in contemporary society. Through a humorous twist, the story presents what happens when two different cultures collide. Fadiman strives to communicate the depth of the issue in a series of themes associated with how the characters perceive the world, presenting an element of contrasting ideas in one society. The themes of kinship and nationalism help narrate how different cultures perceive their surroundings and highlight the potential origin of cultural conflict.
Kinship is a dominant theme in the story as it highlights how different characters perceive the family institution within different cultures. The first instance is on the entire narrative, which depicts the strength within Lia’s family in the Hmong culture. Cultural differences in the narrative form the basis of kinship. For instance, Lia suffers from brain damage and has been under her family’s care for 26 years. This highlights how the Hmong culture upholds kinship and would not leave their kin at the hands of strangers, as is American culture. If the same case happens, the affected kin is committed to an institution in America. It highlights how people from different cultures care for their loved ones, with Lia often cared for by her family who bathes her, adorn her in nice clothes, and celebrate her birthday every year. In American care homes, these patients are subjected to a difficult life with little to no family members visiting them regularly. In most cases, neglect worsens a patient’s condition, which is not the case for Lia because she is loved.
The Hmong culture also puts a strong emphasis on the family from its composition and clans. For instance, a family can be as large as nine children per family, different from the American culture, which was reserved for up to two children. This highlights how children in the Hmong culture are cherished and appreciated. During the mid-eighties, when the refugees fled Laos for greener pastures in the United States, leaving behind older family members was the most difficult thing, illustrating that they appreciated every family member regardless of their age. However, seniors would be confined in senior homes with very limited family time in America. The clan also plays an important role in signifying kinship. For instance, Foua and Nao Kao only accepted Fadiman and Ying since Ying’s husband was from the Lee clan, illustrating that trust had to be based on ties to specific clans and how one perceived this clan.
Holding different family values may lead an individual to different perceptions of people from different cultures. For instance, Fadiman reiterations that family obligations are the most common sources of pressure on an individual in terms of demand is met with criticism from Vangay, who mentions that no one is for themselves (Fadiman 247). According to this statement, one can note that a Hmong individual appreciates being surrounded by their loved ones and put very little interest in the pressure this number may have on their economic lifestyle. Moreover, Vangay notes that the perception is only limited to Americans and not the Hmong people, further presenting cultural differences.
As the narrative unfolds, the author evokes a theme of nationalism riddled with other sub-themes. For instance, power plays a central role in categorizing people into specific groups, such as the Hmong refugees, in which the Lees are part of with very limited to no power. In Laos, these people were free to do what they wanted, including fully appreciating their culture and living wherever they wanted. However, once they move into the United States, they notice they have limited say in many issues, including their freedom. This forces them to depend on other people for sustenance because available options do not address their major concerns. For instance, very few jobs meet their skills, and since there are many refugees, job competition is tough.
Another instance of nationalism is evident in how the refugees perceive the laws in America. They agree that these laws are tougher than they were in Laos. The American penal system is labeled as strict and unforgiving for anyone and most certainly stricter on refugees. Interestingly, these laws make their way into the Lee household when they learn that they are no longer the ultimate decision-makers for their children. For instance, an American doctor said that once the police are called, and court orders are obtained, beliefs are replaced with power (Fadiman 84). This meant that the American culture granted more power to doctors instead of parents, something that came as a shock for Lia’s parents since they always determined the right choices for their children. However, being limited with some laws suggests that they are mere ‘puppets’ in America’s penal system.
The cultural conflict was a rapid social change with the heightened immigration, which introduced new cultures to an already established American culture. Varying observations on several aspects of society, including kinship and nationalism, further promoted cultural conflict, perhaps driving fear and guilt among the refugees. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down communicates this message in a touching narrative of family, struggle, and social stratification. Therefore, the story highlights that cultural difference is a good thing and should be appreciated within the society.
Work cited
Fadiman, Anne. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2012.