How does Ha jin's story saboteur have an eastern belief that has shaped eastern culture

Answer 1

In Ha Jin's story "Saboteur," the character Mr. Chiu is wrongly accused of being a saboteur in a small Chinese town. Throughout the story, Mr. Chiu tries to assert his innocence but is ignored and mistreated by the authorities. The story reflects the idea of "guanxi" in Chinese culture, which is the practice of building and maintaining relationships to gain influence and favor.

In many Eastern cultures, relationships and social connections play a significant role in everyday life. People often rely on their networks to navigate through society, obtain resources, and achieve their goals. This emphasis on interpersonal relationships can sometimes lead to situations where those in positions of power abuse their authority or mistreat others, as seen in Mr. Chiu's situation in the story.

Additionally, the story also touches on the concept of saving face, which is another important aspect of Eastern culture. Mr. Chiu is pressured to sign a false confession to protect the reputation of the authorities, even though he is innocent. This pressure to maintain social harmony and avoid embarrassment or shame is a common theme in many Eastern societies.

Overall, the story "Saboteur" reflects the Eastern belief in the importance of relationships, social connections, and the maintenance of face, all of which have shaped Eastern culture for centuries.