The Effect of the Culture on Individuals

The Effect of the Culture on Individuals

Introduction

There are many characteristics and factors that help to distinguish between countries, nations, societies and communities. These factors include religion, culture, traditions, moral values, national values and many other aspects that differentiates two groups of people from each other that coexists in a geographical location of any form or nature. Religion is of course the most sensitive aspect of majority of individuals. Many experts have blamed religion solely for all the wars and conflicts that have occurred. However, one can also not deny the significance of culture in lives of various individuals. In fact, many experts have actually declared culture as the second most contributing factor to the conflicts in the world. Hence, it is obvious that culture also enjoys very strong position in the lives of many. The number of films made, dramas produced and literature written highlights the importance of culture for various individuals. One of such masterpieces is the remarkable book written by Yahya Hakki and is called “The Lamp of Umm Hashim”.

Discussion

This amazing piece of writing by Yahya Hakki came out in the year 2004. The book consists of a total of four short stories focusing on various different interesting topics. However, the story that takes the major volume of the book is the last in the order with the same name as the title of the novel. Moreover, this story is also the most appreciated and praised short story of the novel amongst the others (Hakki, 2004).

Though at times the short story rather gives the feel of a novel, all in all the centerpiece of the book successfully conveys the reader the various predominant effects of culture on many lives. 'The Lamp of Umm Hashim' is a classic masterpiece that revolves around the events and happenings of the leading character called Ismail. However, the story involves the narrator recounting these events of Ismail's life. Whereas Ismail is said to be the narrator's uncle and lives in Umm Hashim. The narrator depicted Ismail to be a nice hardworking individual who does well at school, respects elders and respect his household values. However, the important fact to note is that the traditional compulsions of household and neighborhood are the predominant factors of this good behavior as opposed to self-righteousness.

The story and the leading characters are narrated to be living in Egypt. Therefore, the novel, at various occasions, describes the details of various shades and sides of Egyptian culture. The novel highlights the fact that Egypt can be included in the list of the Muslim countries that follow both religion and culture with more traditional and conventional approach. Therefore, in various social, political and cultural aspects of Egypt, the conflict between the modern conservative schools of thoughts is inevitable. However, the author has focused on the importance of following all these cultural values. He has also focused on the fact that the nature of societies in Egypt is such that the guidelines it sets ...