How does Prawer-Jhabvala highlight the culture clash between India and England in the Young Couple?

Secondly, Prawer-Jhabvala also highlights the culture clash through using images and languages. One of the images I found is that the reasons why Cathy doesn’t work. She has experiences on “receptionist to a Harley Street specialist, a sales assistant in an airlines office and a waitress in a coffee bar.” However, she knew it was impossible to get a job like that in India. “Because of her, or rather the family’s, background and social standing.” “The sort of jobs this background and social standing permitted her she was not qualified to do.” Therefore, the main way of getting a job in India is nepotism. On the other hands, in England, individuals find works independently of family. And other images I found is that the attitude of family to Cathy’s shopping trip. The mother said to Cathy, “One word, and I shall come myself with the car and take you”. “Our girls don’t go into these bazaars alone. It is not proper for us.” Overly caring and involvement in the lives of the couple. It is not socially acceptable especially for a white woman to go to bazaars alone.

Finally, Prawer-Jhabvala highlights the culture clash through the different characterisation between Cathy, Naraian and Naraian’s parents. Cathy is a very strong character, at the beginning of the story she already want to be independent with Naraian when they are India, but she never give up about this idea of getting chances of independence. “Cathy was thrilled at going back to India with Naraian, her new husband. They had many ideas about the things Naraian would do for his country once he got back there”. In some way, she is quite idealistic about being independent, which is breaking the culture of India. On the other hand, Naraian is a weak character, because he did promise to be independent with Cathy, but he finally give up which “ended up with a job in his uncle’s firm.” He is also very selfish as well, when Cathy is having an argument with his mother, he was “busy eating the flesh round the stone of his mango”. He pretends he is very busy in eating so that he doesn’t need to listening to the conversation and he is having a easy life. Naraian’s parents are rich and upper classed. They like controlling and interfering the couple, but also caring. “Ours girls don’t go to these bazaars alone”. Really, there is a clash between culture and characterisation as well.

In conclusion, the clash of culture between India and England is because of the gender roles. In India, it is not socially acceptable for female to show their sexuality. In addition, it is fine to be like that in England. The clash of characterisation between Cathy, Naraian and Naraian’s parents. Because Naraian should be stronger and to stand up for Cathy. And Naraian’s family should understand the situation which Cathy and Naraian is having.