36 Alder and Peter 1975 mention there are five stages of culture shock,
which include honeymoon stage, disintegration stage, reintegration stage, the continuing of reintegration, and reciprocal stage as cited in Pedersen, 1995, p. 3.
Based on Kai ’s experiences in dealing with culture shock, he has reached the
continuing of reintegration stage by the end of the story. It happens when the person increases the ability to function in the new culture by considering both the
good elements of Chinese culture and American culture. He realizes that fighting is necessary for him to fix his identity in the place he lives. Even though he loses
his own language, he succeeds to survive from the fear of being an ignorant child in Panhandle. In addition, there are several causes that make him experience
culture shock. It is important to discuss the causes of culture shock in order to give insight why the conflicts occur. Those causes are the different social values,
beliefs, ways of life, languages, and interests, and the lack of socialization.
1. Different Social Values
The value constructs found in the United States is not identical to those found in mainland China Xiao, 2001, p. 12. Each society carries their own
values that make different values possibly exist. Thus, the values found in China are in contrast to that of in America. One will experience culture shock when
moving to another country since the country does not share the same values. According to Xiao 2001, while American is centered on the value of Judeo-
Christians roots, Chinese culture is built upon a value system crystallized in Confucianism p. 111. In addition, the Confucianism describes the respect for
tradition and reciprocity in social relations. The Chinese lends new meaning to the
37 concept of interaction. Anyone can relate to other people, but traditional Chinese
honors the dead. Chinese believes in Ching Ming , which means “shiny bright”,
the ritual of paying homage ancestors p. 39. As what Kai used to do, every week he follows his mother to go to shrine to have an
ancestor’s ritual. According to Smith 1994, the boys in China are considered as crucial and important because
they will continue the family line and maintain the ancestral sacrifice p. 248. In contrast,
Kai’s stepmother, Edna, is an eclectic adventurer in religion. Her present passion is Christian Science. When Kai lives with her as a stepchild,
he is sent to a Holy Christian Church of Almighty God. As the characteristic of western people, they will go to church as regularly as going to movie once a week.
Kai’s family as being a part of Chinese culture is also confused to mean the value of religion.
Now Jane Ming li had assumed that the role of conscience in our mother’s absence, and tried to find for Edna in every book in the Bible. We both
were fascinated with Exodus. Megan Wai-la, abandoned by our mother and seemingly by the gods, was understandably drawn to agnosticism. Jenifer
Sung- ah, like our mother, adored Mozart. Father was a Confucian, which nonsecular ethical faith and involves ancestor rituals inappropriate for
dinner table p. 80.
The quotation above shows that Kai and his family mean the religion differently.
None of them carries Christian beliefs. Kai is a Confucian like his father used to. “And of course, I am Confucian; I respect my father.” p. 27. As a result, Kai is
confused when he is in the congregation because he never goes to church before. An anxiety pressed on me as everyone under the roof sang their hearts out
in mind-sweeping melodic majesty. When I first heard the rich, emotive singing. I did not realize that the people in the congregation were
producing it. Nor did I know the words, except for “Jesus” and “love” p. 80.
