A Thousand Years Of Good Prayer - 1038 Words

Deeper Than Words: Communication in â€Å"A Thousand Years of Good Prayer,† by Yiyun Li There are those who have a difficult time expressing themselves with words. It is as though there is a communication barrier between people even if they are speaking the same language. The struggle for successful communication can be even harder if different languages are spoken. Even if there are no words spoken, communication between two people still occurs. Yiyun Li’s short story â€Å"A Thousand Years of Good Prayer† offers an excellent study in communication. This study includes examples of communication barriers and the successful aspects of communication revealing the ultimate theme: communication does not need to be verbalized to have a relationship†¦show more content†¦In the same way the language barrier hinders conversation. Mr. Shi knows little English and mostly speaks in Chinese. This hinders true communication between him and Madam, a woman he meets in the park He feels that â€Å"sometimes they run out of English† (406). When there are no more English words to be said, both revert to their native language. Neither Mr. Shi nor Madame truly understands what is being said. Mr. Shi wishes at times to communicate to Madam in English: â€Å"But he is sure, even before he starts that his English would fail him† (406). This struggle for words indicates the lack of communication between him and Madam, but it also indicates the language barrier between him and his daughter. He speaks primarily in Chinese, and while his daughter knows Chinese, she prefers to speak English: â€Å"It’s different Baba. We talk in English, and it’s easier. I don’t talk well in Chinese† (413). His daughter does not like speaking in Chinese, and Mr. Shi struggles to converse in English. This problem undermines their relationship. Even though verbal communication is lacking, nonverbal communication is evident. Mr. Shi not ices, â€Å"her eyes behind her glasses, wide open and unrelenting, remind him of her younger years† (408). He notices his daughter’s curiosity and need for an answer even though few words are said. He is aware of her need, but he refuses to tell her the truth. Mr. Shi’s daughter’s eyes remindShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Yiyun Li s A Thousand Years Of Good Prayers1196 Words   |  5 PagesYiyun Li’s A Thousand Years of Good Prayers has a recurring theme among its protagonists. Several characters have not met certain emotional needs which leaves them searching for ways to meet these needs wherever possible. Oftentimes, characters enter a one-sided relationship and give themselves completely to a person with nothing in return because it fulfills whatever needs the character has. These relationships are most evident in â€Å"Extra† and â€Å"A Thousand Years of Good Prayers.† In â€Å"Extra,†Read MoreInsider in Fahrenheit 451 and Extra, a Thousand Years of Good Prayers1646 Words   |  7 PagesPage 1 of 6 The meaning of ‘outsider’ is the person in part of the society. They obey and converge in the social value which set up by the government. In both Fahrenheit 451 and A thousand years of good prayers, we see that there is several of characters absorb the knowledge and social value. These characters are under controlled and they find it is a right way in obeying the structure of the society. ‘Outsider’ in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury represents to the main character Montag and otherRead MoreEssay on To Pray or Not to Pray in Schools1503 Words   |  7 Pagesthrough courtrooms for years. The controversy over school prayer in the Engel versus Vitale case started over a prayer recited in the New York public school system, known as the Regents Prayer. A group of three parents found the prayer unfair to their children and decided to take their case to court. After hard work and tough battles the case came to the Supreme Court. On June 25, 1962 the court made the decision to ban prayer from public schools across the nation. Yet, the prayer is beneficial toRead MoreTemple of Heaven1184 Words   |  5 PagesThe Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is surrounded by a square surrounding wall. On the east and west sides of the hall are two halls which was where the gods of the sun, the moon, the stars, thunder, and lighting were prayed to. These halls now exhibit the musical instruments played during the ceremonies at the Temple of Heaven. A round building with a single-gabled roof topped with a gilded ball, the Imperial Vault of Heaven is located directly south of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. ItRead MorePros and Cons of Teaching Creationism in School1197 Words   |  5 Pagesvisitors since it opened in 2007 (Lovan). There are strong opinions that many christians share that we need to put prayer back in the public school systems. They feel that school prayer would benefit society in many ways. Our public school systems are going down hill fast. School shootings, increasing drug use, alcoholism, teen pregnancy, and HIV Transmissions are all on the rise (Prayer). There are many science teachers in the public school system that are christians as well. Pennsylvania State UniversityRead MoreThe West Bank943 Words   |  4 PagesPalestine. Its population is about one thousand two hundred people. In the whole village there are two major families. The size of Mas-ha is approximately two square miles. This village is very prized to me, because of its distinctions such as the religion, the location, the culture and family. My hometown village Mas-ha only has one religion, Islam. The people of Mas-ha wake up before sunrise to the voice of the Sheikh, who is the man who calls us for prayer. Due to the small size of the villageRead MoreEssay on Five Pillars of Islam1239 Words   |  5 Pagesstarted on principles very different from what we see in the news or hear on the radio. Islam rather has a long rich history that is full of some of the same principles and morals of Christianity that are seen in the western world as the foundation of good. Islam has what it calls The Five Pillars that are in purpose much like the Christian Ten Commandments. They are a set of rules that are the foundation of the Islam as a whole. The Five Pillars are: Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, and Hajj. ShahadahRead More Five Pillars of Islam Essay1237 Words   |  5 Pagesstarted on principles very different from what we see in the news or hear on the radio. Islam rather has a long rich history that is full of some of the same principles and morals of Christianity that are seen in the western world as the foundation of good. Islam has what it calls The Five Pillars that are in purpose much like the Christian Ten Commandments. They are a set of rules that are the foundation of the Islam as a whole. The Five Pillars are: Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, and Hajj.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ShahadahRead MoreComparison Between Islam And Islam1439 Words   |  6 PagesHollmann, PhD REL 252 30 August 2015 JUDISM COMPARED TO ISLAM Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions with Islam. Judaism embraces a set of beliefs and practices whose base is in the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh; this religion dates back two thousand years before Christ, when Abraham migrates toward Palestine by the indication of a God who communicated with him and claiming to be the one God (as all his ancestors revered and worshiped many gods-false) . Compared to Islam who it is also an AbrahamicRead MoreThe concept of interiorization has been around for a long time. In the past, some could argue that1600 Words   |  7 Pageshouse where people gathered to pray has today grown to a megabuilding with some housing tens of thousands of people who come together for prayer, worship and community. It is really spectacular to see so many people gathered together for the purpose of prayer and worship. The spiritual events that take place at a megachurch are like no other. Having thousands of people gather together and listen for prayer and wo rship could be one of the most surreal and spiritual events in one’s life. Megachurches