Multicultural Project
By: Cecilia Davenport and Elyssa Sanderson
Dear Reader,
Researching this culture opened my mind on things and makes me look at things differently. Because they do certain things differently then we do, which we would usually probably talk down on it " oh, that's weird". But from actually doing my researched I learned more about why my favorite soccer player does some of the things he does, that I may think is odd. But it's really not. It's just his culture and how he was raised/ taught. One thing that is still the same between American culture and Brazilian culture is that family will do whatever they can to provide for you. Which is what we learned from out story we read.
My feelings towards the authors work is very upfront. I think that Eells did a great job creating this story. To show that no matter what would happen to the father, he did everything in his will to provide and care for his family. This story reminded me a lot of American culture. But I just wish this author would of put a little bit more information about Brazilian culture.
Learning about new cultures is interesting and I believe that we all should need to learn about different cultures we want to know more about in school, it would open up our minds and make us have a different perspective on things.
Cultural Overview of Brazilian Culture
"Brazil is a unique country in that it is a melting pot of people from several ethnic backgrounds and cultures. The result is a diverse and rich modern Brazilian culture of music, art, theatre, sports, family units, and a country full of friendly and generous people." (celebratebrazil)
Language
I've always thought Brazilians spoke Spanish, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought that, but their language is very similar to Italian. Brazil is the only country that speaks Portuguese. Brazilians have a right to practice any language they would like.
Religion
There main religion is Roman Catholic and " Nearly 75% of Brazilians call themselves Catholic, around 130 million people". Also, I'm sure you already know Brazil is Souths Americas largest country. People consider Brazil as a large melting pot, about every ethic group makes up the Brazilian population.
Most popular sports played in Brazil
Sports in Brazil are played for fun but mainly competition. The most popular sports there is soccer and volleyball. But soccer is the 1st most popular sport in Brazil. Brazil's national football (soccer) team has won the most World Cups and also have some of the most talented players playing for there team, which have played in and won many tournaments around the world. Volleyball is the 2nd most popular sport in Brazil, played by both men and women in 1st place. Brazils team has been the most successful in this sport.
Lastly The author in The Adventures of a Fisherman's Son, Elsie Spicer Eells displays elements of showing her Brazilian culture which is similar to stories you would hear from the American culture. I'm sure almost anyone would go through or do anything to support and care for their family, like Eells shows in this story.
Analysis of Brazilian Culture
The Brazilian culture contains and withholds many aspects and details. The background of unity is crucial to the society in Brazil. It’s important that families stick together and the parents, predominantly the fathers, protect and take care of their family. In The Adventures of a Fisherman’s Son, Elsie Spicer Eells portrays the trials and tribulations parents go through to support their family.
In The Adventures of a Fisherman’s Son, the father was the backbone of the family. He worked from the break of dawn to sunset. Doing everything in his willpower to obtain food and supplies for the family, he still struggled. He responded to the giants curse/blessing in which it stated, “If you will give me whatever new you find in your house when you go home I will give you fisherman’s luck. You will catch all the fish you wish,” (Eells). He is then granted a load of fish that was able to feed his family with more he could sell. When he arrives home expecting a puppy to return back to the giant, he finds out he has to give up his newborn son. This upsetted the mother and father dearly, but they were willing to do it if it supported the others.
The concept of a family is to naturally become a union and stick through every predicament that's comes in place. As you travel the world, you'll come to see that many cultures value this belief dearly. Eells illustrates what family and union is in the Brazilian culture through her writing. Parents will go through multiple dilemmas to protect and support the family.
Other 2 stories we read by Eells, The most beautiful princess and The fountain of giant land
Bibliography
- "Facts of Brazil - Brazil Facts - Facts About Brazil." CelebrateBrazil.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
- "Fairy Tales From Brazil." Fairy Tales From Brazil. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
- "Cultural Life." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.