Capella University
HUM_FPX 1150
Professor Name
November 2024
Comparative Analysis and Reflection
Through the speech “Gate A-4 ” Naomi Shihab Nye expresses a strong idea of hope towards relating to individuals of other cultures through a simple moment at an airport. As a Latina writer, Nye’s story is based on a multicultural background and important themes which include good Samaritans, togetherness, and compassion as per the events of human beings. This review discusses the aspects included in the tales within the cultural dimension including language, food, and traditions, and then looks at ways that these have been used to promote cross-cultural understandings. In “Gate A-4” Nye points to the positive notion of paying attention to every little detail about love and how ordinary or seemingly mundane acts of random kindness can indeed break through borders.
Gate A-4: Artifact Summary
”Gate A-4” by Naomi Shihab Nye is a powerful story of kindness shared by people in the world regardless of color, language, or nationality. In this narrative, the writer is an Arabic speaker who sees a troubled Palestinian woman sitting alone at an airport gate. Here the narrator, a stranger, goes near the woman in distress to console her. With the common language and cultural background, she finds out the woman’s flight is postponed because of the surgery and she gets lost in the strange place and gets anxious. The narrator satisfying the woman’s need to stay with her, talking to her in Arabic, and offering her a package of mamool cookies gives the situation an implied guarantee.
This simple small gesture is one of the best examples of how differences in cultures as well as race can be overcome with great ease and how small things, small things can bring comfort to individuals who are suffering. It is in this light that Nye’s story tries to capture the essence of the fact that, in an increasingly cold world, the occasional flash of recognizing fellow human beings not as impediments, but as people we can extend a helping tow to, is what makes life worth living. “Gate A-4” shows how eloquently and keenly culture can bring people together, primarily when they are emotionally exposed. In this interaction, Nye shows that a single meeting provides a feeling of belonging and support proving a humane approach is a positive unison that transcends borders.
Cultural Values in Gate A-4
In “Gate A-4” the narrator introduces cultural values that are natural to human beings; the use of language, their way of preparing and consuming food as well as celebrating cultural practices to enhance interaction. The ability of language enables Nye’s protagonist to comfort the distressed Palestinian woman by talking to her in a familiar language. There is an appreciation seen here that breaks through the unfamiliar environment and thus retains a common language as times prove that when we are weak, sharing our cares can calm our lungs and loosen the powerful muscles deep within can all be achieved through the aspect of communication.
In the same way, the exchange of mamool cookies, which are traditional, is a way of passing on the signal that food indeed breaks barriers. Food here represents a realization that regardless of cultural differences we are all human beings in need of love and that sharing food can help close the gaps between people. The cookies are not only sustenance but also reception and courtesy, as the author would like readers to recall how food implies benevolence in any situation.
More, the symbols of the given story such as the plant that a Palestinian woman has in her hands, serve the purpose of reflecting cultural heritage. For this reason, this small product symbolizes the woman’s identity, and a connection to her home, which gives her comfort amidst the unfamiliar environment. As such, these elements highlight Safety and Identity that come with cultural values that are narrated in portraying that even in the complex and diverse foreign environment people can feel affiliated and have togetherness with others through accordant rallying symbols manifest through simple acts of hospitality.
Cultural Perspective and Personal Reflection
For multicultural readers, there are personal memories related to the process described in “Gate A-4,” such as crossing cultural barriers within the family. In the following depression and laughter can be seen to be relatable to those who have struggled to understand new language or learn how to converse with others. The consumption of food was also done collectively in the Iliad as people from different cultures unite for example we share food; individuals suffering in various ways throughout the narratives get support through empathy for example compassion translates across cultures.
HUM FPX 1150 Assessment 2 References
About Naomi Shihab Nye | Academy of American Poets. (n.d.). Poets.org. Retrieved from https://poets.org/poet/naomi-shihab-nye
Belle, J. (2020). How Food Brings People Together — Julia Belle’s Seasonings. Julia Belle’s Seasonings. Retrieved from https://juliabelles.com/blog/how-food-brings-people-together
