e are two diverse cultures. Between Marguerite and Miss Glory there is much frustration, though they are both still able to communicate between one another. On the other hand, Marguerite and Mrs. Cullinan have much tension between them, which allows for merely no communication at all. In another instance, when Mrs. Cullinan calls Marguerite a nigger, she adds a very negative connotation to the word because she is white. Languages of different cultures have different interpretations of the same word. In this case, Mrs. Cullinan, being white, uses this term as a degrading and embarrassing way to insult Marguerite for breaking her dishes. The word nigger used in black culture would have just been a nonchalant way to refer to another African-American. There are many linguistic flaws within each culture, and it is important to crash another culture with only the vaguest notion of its underlying dynamics [for it is] not only a provincial navet but a dangerous form of cultural arrogance (51). Mrs. Cullinan has not even attempted to learn about Marguerites culture, which places her in a mold to aggravate existing prejudices (49). Her pre-determined notion of blacks stays the same with every black person, and they are all treated equally as slaves.Throughout the passage of Mary, there is a continual blockade separating the blacks from whites, and even some cases, separating blacks from blacks. Barnlund suggests that there is a lack of communication between two different cultures. This barrier is pre-distinguished due to a judgmental view of the other culture. Nothing can be done about this pre-set wall placed between cultures, and it must be accepted that way because society works that way. People burden cultures with stereotypes even though they may not even know the person. Lack of communication and learning from each other results in naive actions and words. It is advantageous to learn about new cultures in order to globalize the...
