In “The Bridegroom” by Ha Jin, the struggle about family, reputation and homosexuality within the cultural norms. Ha Jin shows a good example for the Eastern people because it opens their eyes by showing them conflicts between the value of society and individual preference. Because the Eastern culture is different from the Western on society and the peoples understanding. In the Asian countries often society effects on the way people think. This short story is about a girl named Beina who was the daughter of Cheng’s dear friend who has passed away. Cheng took the supervision of Beina and when she grew up it was time for her to get married. She met a handsome man who worked in the factory. Beina was a girl of good character. Beina saw all good qualities in Baowen, he would understand her feelings, and save her in times of distress therefore, she agreed to marry Baowen. However, when the couple marry after months go by, Beina is not pregnant, and Cheng gets worried that Baowen
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“Well, it’s impossible for me to have a criminal son-in-law. I’ve been humiliated enough. If you want to wait for him, don’t come to me again” (378). Cheng doesn’t want to get humiliated by having a homosexual son-in-law because he is worried what other people will think of him. Furthermore, every culture has a reputation on what other people will think and say about them. Cheng is worried what other people in the factory will think of them. “Just say I have a temporary mental disorder” (371). Instead of making up something bizarre because they don’t want people to know he is gay, instead he has a mental disorder and he very sick, so people won’t question so much. Back then being homosexual was a big thing because homosexuality was not common and if they were to be gay it was a big deal in the society. “The factory leaders would be mad at me if they knew there was no cure for homosexuality”
“Well, it’s impossible for me to have a criminal son-in-law. I’ve been humiliated enough. If you want to wait for him, don’t come to me again” (378). Cheng doesn’t want to get humiliated by having a homosexual son-in-law because he is worried what other people will think of him. Furthermore, every culture has a reputation on what other people will think and say about them. Cheng is worried what other people in the factory will think of them. “Just say I have a temporary mental disorder” (371). Instead of making up something bizarre because they don’t want people to know he is gay, instead he has a mental disorder and he very sick, so people won’t question so much. Back then being homosexual was a big thing because homosexuality was not common and if they were to be gay it was a big deal in the society. “The factory leaders would be mad at me if they knew there was no cure for homosexuality”