菊与刀英文的读后感【优质3篇】
菊与刀英文的读后感 篇一
Title: Reflections on "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword"
"The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" by Ruth Benedict is a thought-provoking book that explores the cultural differences between Japan and the United States during World War II. As I delved into its pages, I was fascinated by the depth of the analysis and the insights it provided into the Japanese culture.
One of the main themes in the book is the stark contrast between the Japanese and American cultures. Benedict argues that the Japanese culture is rooted in a collectivist mindset, where individuals prioritize the needs of the group over their own desires. This is in stark contrast to the individualistic values prevalent in American culture, where personal achievements and success are highly valued.
Through her extensive research and case studies, Benedict highlights the importance of understanding cultural differences in order to effectively communicate and interact with people from different backgrounds. She emphasizes the need for cultural relativism, where we suspend our own judgments and try to understand the worldview and values of others.
What struck me the most about "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" is its relevance even in today's globalized world. As our societies become more interconnected, it is crucial to develop cultural intelligence and sensitivity. The book serves as a reminder that cultural differences should not be viewed as obstacles, but rather as opportunities for growth and understanding.
Moreover, Benedict's exploration of the Japanese concept of "shame" and its influence on society was eye-opening. In Japanese culture, shame is not seen as a personal failing, but rather as a reflection on one's family or group. This understanding sheds light on the importance of maintaining social harmony and avoiding behaviors that could bring shame upon oneself or others.
"The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" offers a nuanced perspective on the Japanese culture, challenging stereotypes and providing a deeper understanding of its intricacies. It is a testament to the power of cultural anthropology in bridging the gap between different societies.
In conclusion, reading "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" was a thought-provoking experience that broadened my horizons and deepened my understanding of cultural differences. Benedict's insights and analysis shed light on the complexities of the Japanese culture and serve as a valuable resource for anyone interested in cross-cultural communication. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the intricacies of cultural differences.
Word count: 430
菊与刀英文的读后感 篇二
Title: Unveiling the Cultural Tapestry in "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword"
"The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" by Ruth Benedict is a remarkable exploration of the Japanese culture during World War II. As I immersed myself in the pages of this book, I was captivated by the intricate tapestry of beliefs, values, and traditions that make up the Japanese society.
One of the key aspects that struck me was the notion of "giri," which refers to the social obligations and duties that one must fulfill towards others. Benedict emphasizes that giri is deeply ingrained in the Japanese culture, and it affects every aspect of life, from family relationships to business interactions. This concept of reciprocal obligations and the importance of maintaining harmony resonated with me, and I began to reflect on the individualistic nature of my own culture.
Another fascinating aspect of "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" is the exploration of the Japanese concept of "amae," which refers to the desire for emotional dependence and the need to be cared for. Benedict argues that amae is a fundamental aspect of Japanese culture, and it shapes their relationships and interactions with others. This concept challenged my Western notions of independence and self-reliance, and made me question the balance between individualism and interdependence in different cultures.
Additionally, Benedict delves into the role of shame in the Japanese culture. In Western societies, shame is often associated with personal failure or weakness. However, in Japanese culture, shame is seen as a reflection on one's family or group. This understanding sheds light on the importance of maintaining social harmony and avoiding behaviors that could bring shame upon oneself or others. It made me realize the significance of reputation and the collective identity in shaping behavior.
"The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" is a captivating journey into the heart of Japanese culture, offering valuable insights into the complexities and nuances that shape their society. Benedict's meticulous research and analysis shed light on the cultural differences between Japan and the United States during World War II, and provide a framework for understanding and appreciating different worldviews.
In conclusion, reading "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" was a transformative experience that challenged my preconceptions and expanded my understanding of cultural differences. Benedict's exploration of giri, amae, and shame provided a deeper insight into the intricacies of the Japanese culture, and left me with a profound appreciation for the value of cultural anthropology in fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Word count: 431
菊与刀英文的读后感 篇三
菊与刀英文的读后感
The Yamato has always been seen as a learning ethnic group. It has been greedly asorbing the civilization from other nations by learning their culture, character, tradition, art, architecture and even religion. A great deal of Japanese culture and religion had been adapted from the older civilization, China. To them, China used to be their great teacher. In the past thousands of years, the Japanese were so eagerly to see and to learn from this teacher, ingnoring the long, dangerous journey and the deep Japanese Sea. However, since the latest century, the teacher has been invaded by his student, surpassed his student. And now, to be frank, the teacher is not competent enough to be in this position any longer. In many aspects, such as science and economy, the teacher has fallen behind his student. Maybe it"s time for the teacher to examine himself profoundly. Americans believe no one stands still; if you are not moving ahead, you are falling behind. The teacher must has already been familiar with this credo. Maybe it"s time for the teacher to learn something from the Student.
Let"s see how does the Japanese behavior in some aspects.The Japanese view boon a burden. They do like to easily accept others" help, even is from a close relatives. This might seems quite weird to us. In our opinion, lending a hand to a friend, a relative or a stranger is a gracious act. We should be happy with it. Because when we are short of money, someone would lend us some to make the ends meet; when we are having a birthday or a ceremony, someone would come with fabulous presents; when we fall over and got injured on the leg, someone would come and support us with a hand. All above are those which we consider as beautiful acts. And thanks to them our soiciety would become more harmonious and peaceful. However, that does not mean that the Japanese people do not like benevolence. In fact, they appreciate it too. The difference between us lies on which part of this deed we separately focus on. In our sense of worth, we focus on this innitiative act and consider it as a way to break the cat ice between everyone. The Japanese people has a sense of worth which is quite a difference from ours. Actually, hardly on earth could we find another sense of worth which is familiar to the Japanese. They put most of their attention of Paying a Debt of Gratitude, which means when they accept someone else"s grace, they should start to think about what they can pay back. It is similar to a Chinese saying remember the gratitude and try to repay it. However, you can also find a more appropriate saying Drips of grace, Yongquan. That could most accurately descibe the Japanese way. In their eyes, the gratitude is the most unbearable thing. Once accepted, they should try to repay it heart and soul. And they call it ties of friendship.
Far across the sea, on t
Look at ourselves, as the economic is developing faster than our mental power, we are losing ourselves in the mist. Maybe the Japanese sense of worth could remind us the traditional Chinese virtue. Unlike the Japanese, we are born with the gratitude of our motherland. With her latex, we grow up upbring sturdily. But in the mist of money and power, we almost forget to pay back her gracefully bestow. Although it is not the emergent moment that we have to sacrifice ourselves, if needed, I believe most of us will do so, we should get ready for the challenges in this changing world. Keep in mind that we bear the grace of our motherland and never forget our duties, that is pushing our country toward prosperity.
Another thing I"d like to mention is the self-discipline of the Japanese. In their world, the entertainment and work is apparently seperated. While working, they try their best and leaving everything else behind. But that does not mean they do not like entertainments. Oppositely, they view entertaiment a necessary part of life. And in Japan, sex is not such shameful topic as it is in China. The Japanese people, even the women after giving birth to their child, would talk it publicly while they are gathering together with their friends and view it as palate. And they"d like to develop their hobbies. For example, most of the Japanese like to sleep and they do not consider sleeping a way to rest. In fact, they make it their hobby and try to develop it. That"s why the Japanese people could sleep at anytime and anywhere in any posture right away.
However, while compared with their work or duty, entertainment could be a quite trivial thing. One example is that, the Japanese soldiers could keep awake for 60 hours with only 10 minutes" break in their training. And the drill master said They already know how to sleep, it"s time to learn how to get rid of sleep. In their opinion, entertainment could be droped easily if necessary.
We always have this kind of feeling, when we are having some kind of enjoyment, we are worrying about some work undone. And when we are doing our work, we are thinking about play and rest momently. I think that"s why some of us find our efficiency so poor, and that"s also why success is always so far away. There is no harm in separating work and play totally. And furthermore, maybe play actually is not so important, we should choose the most vauluable thing to do in our limited lifetime.
Hermann Hesse, a famous German writer, said in his book Siddhartha We should do things in the way a stone falls into the water. Straightly, without any interuption, I think that"s the short cut to success.
