Enculturation in Up the Yangtze

Having to watch "Up the Yangtze" on my own and just recently incorporating "enculturation" into my criticize analysis, I couldn't help but think how the two fit together.  The film by Yung Chang, as you should know, is about the different lives of the new workers on the boat. Two people were taught new concepts of life on the boat, but one being from a poor family. Not only did they learn more about the life around them, they also learned new ideas about their culture. (enculturation)

To me, the girl Cindy, did not like having to be around people and work with them considering she has always been around her family.  She could be shy or just not used to people her age. Anyhow, she was still working on this aspect of life, trying to better herself, and not be so homesick. Also, while viewing the film, it seemed like the boy had trouble with the task of meeting and greeting others. There was an obvious difference in language and considering he comes from a family who is not used to greeting others. Though the fact is that he was not comfortable with such a simple task. Because he wasn't comfortable with this new concept of life, he had to learn and practice it. Once he was able to better himself, he continued this process to make money, something he has never done before.

As you can see, enculturation was shown through these two peoples lives. They were introduced to different types of people and learned how to work with them. The boat was a new beginning for them. Letting them both get out of their comfort zone even though they are both from different lifestyles. The two learned how to work on things they were unaware of. Whether it was from being wealthy and feeling in control or poor and learning patience. Just by being on a boat the two got a feeling of what the world is like, culture wise, outside of their daily lives. Something they would have not learned by staying within their own lifestyle.