Papazian

Nicole Papazian
Professor Lusine Makarosyan
English114B
15 March 2016
Spatial Influence on Cultural Behavior
Space is an incredibly important aspect that can define a persons
characteristics. Although, it does not seem to be crucial in shaping an
individual, it plays a great role in influencing ones perspective and actions.
Throughout this semester, I have read several short stories that connect with
the idea of culture and perspectives. Also, I had received the opportunity to
visit the Getty Center for the first time, as I viewed various diverse art
pieces. I spend most of my time either in school or at home. Therefore, it is
only understandable that my character has been shaped according to the
environment I am placed in most. Both my school and home have completely
different cultural views, which has made me into a more independent being,
through the contradictory beliefs each space has influenced towards my
character.
I was raised in an Armenian household, where my parents are
extremely supportive, and I have plenty of relatives and friends near me, if I
ever needed help. My house is located in a quiet and private street, in
Burbank. I have gone through my most exciting moments and learning
lessons in this house. My home consists of my parents and my older sister,
which means that I have many role models to constantly look up to, as I

Papazian

learn and grow. The Armenian culture is incredibly unified with one another.
In the story The Pomegranate Trees, William Saroyan presents an incredibly
touching aspiration of an old uncle, who is trying to spread the Armenian
culture all over the world. Saroyan states, "Put the little creature down...Let
us not be cruel to the innocent creatures of Almighty God...Let us be gentle
with toward these small things which live on the earth with us" (Saroyan
338), which shows how caring and grateful the uncle is towards the smallest
things in life. This connects to my culture, because my family is warm
welcoming and kind, therefore it has taught me to always be appreciative
and respectful towards others. Also, the uncle shows a great deal of
determination throughout the story, which I could see in myself as well. The
Armenian people have gone through various hardships, but that only makes
them stronger. Therefore my culture has swayed me into becoming a strong,
driven individual.
Armenians always can trust and depend on one another, due to the
small population of this culture. This has shown me that I must always keep
my family very close to me, because of how family oriented Armenians can
be. Also, families have grown together to accept and understand each other,
no matter how difficult situations could get. The Armenian culture is
incredibly old-fashioned and traditional, thus making it inevitable to become
influenced by their specific viewpoint. I have a very traditional and
conservative character, because of the culture and family I was raised by. My
personality is conservative in the sense that I am incredibly reserved and

Papazian

introverted; also, I typically consider every possible outcome of a situation

before taking a risk. Family and values are important to me, because my
actions always fall back on the people closest to me; thus, referring back to
my traditional and cultural views. This means that my character is religious
and stable.
There are many Armenians who live amongst the same community as I
do, thus it has become a familiar and cultural setting for me. There are many
Armenian churches and schools around this area, which basically can make
one feel as if they never left their homeland. This unification of Armenians
dominating certain areas makes me feel a sense of pride in my culture and
race. My home consists of cultural foods and movies, which are consistently
present when one enters the house. Not to mention, my family is always
speaking in Armenian in the house, and teaching my sister and me Armenian
values. This constant environment has shaped my character to never forget
my roots, even though I am living incredibly far from my homeland. Since,
my family has always made me continue the Armenian traditions, it has set
certain values in my character, where I am capable of passing them along to
the next generations. I am a much prouder and responsible being through
these guidelines and values my family has taught me.
The Armenian culture has always preserved these values and morals
for sometime now. Women in the Armenian culture are supposed to be
perceived as innocent and caring of the family; innocent, in the sense that
women are supposed to be reserved and family oriented. Although, I do not

Papazian

live in Armenia, these cultural beliefs are still taught and followed in my
home. My parents are considerate and understanding of letting my sister and
me, spend time with friends and cousins, however we cannot stay out too
late. These specific values and beliefs that are constantly being expressed in
my home, have affected my character, by setting morals from what is
expected from me. For example, I understand and respect my parents
decisions, thus I exceed from what is expected of me, such as coming home
sooner than the curfew. Recently I had visited the Getty Center, in Los
Angeles, and came across a painting named, Portrait of Barbara Kressin.
This painting depicted a young, wealthy teenager seated in a feminine
position, holding white gloves that symbolized the union of marriage. I was
drawn to this painting, because I did not understand why the woman looked
unhappy with her situation, and then I realized that she was most probably
being forced into an arranged marriage. This can connect with my culture,
because Armenians would always get married at a very young age, in the
earlier generations. Now that there is a large population of Armenians living
in America, perspectives have changed in women, and society has given
each person a choice/voice over their future. Women have been pursuing a
longer education and deciding on marriage afterwards. In the past, marriage
was an important part of each womans life. I am glad to be living in a
society where women have the opportunity of deciding on their own fate.
This change in perspective has made me into who I am, because without this

Papazian

drastic development, my traditional culture would still be forcing marriage

upon all women.
My family has always encouraged me to attend a university and build a
career of my own. In the Woman Warrior White Tigers Maxine Hong
Kingston states, When we Chinese girls listened to the adults talk-story, we
learned that we failed if we grew up to be but wives or slaves" (Kingston 19),
which explains that the authors culture has a very traditional and specific
lifestyle for the women of the culture, however, the authors parents
encourage and support her to choose her own path in life and pursue
whatever she desires as her future. This quote connects with me in many
ways, because my parents do not restrict me from any Armenian cultural
values, regarding women, rather they teach me to become an independent
and build a character of my own, without needing to rely on another person.
Ever since I started going to California State University Northridge my
mindset has completely altered due to the diversity of the space. There are
many different races with different cultures and perspectives, which attend
this university. I have been interacting with many different people in the
courses I am placed in. This space is incredibly lively and refreshing. There is
always something interactive and entertaining occurring on campus, which
can get people out of their comfort zones and become more involved.
Although, this space is completely different than my house, it also
encourages cultural beliefs and values. There are many Armenians on
campus, who share the same cultural ideologies as I do. These traditions and

Papazian

values the Armenian culture has taught me has not changed ever since I
started attending CSUN; rather, it has become more enhanced, in the sense
that I am capable of staying true to what I believe in, even around people I
have recently started associating myself with.
The CSUN campus relates to my identity, by having many Armenians,
with the same cultural beliefs, around on campus. Also, I still speak the
language of Armenian, because it insures that I will continue these traditions
and pass along my culture to those that are unaware of it. CSUN is full of
opportunities and new ideas; therefore, it could become incredibly easy to
get lost and forget ones values. I have become involved with the Armenian
Student Association (ASA) club, because it includes many aspects of my
culture. This club is another representation of how my character has altered
ever since I started attending this university, because it as made me more
outspoken and independent. Before, I was incredibly shy and introverted,
because I was afraid of getting out of my comfort zone, or even
embarrassing myself. I have always been proud of my cultural background
and myself, but now I am a more assertive and a strong individual. This
space has created a significant alteration in my personality and identity, for
the better.
Space has an important role in altering ones character and viewpoint.
For example, people can become influenced by those that are constantly
around them, which can create a completely altered mindset from before.
Also, space has the power of reminding people of their cultural backgrounds

Papazian

and aspects that become familiar/comfortable for them. I noticed a very

specific painting, during my visit in the Getty Center that depicted an
incredibly unfortunate and unhappy situation; this painting is named, A
Storm on a Mediterranean Coast. The painting showed the aftermath of a
storm, where the environment is gloomy and dark. Along the shore, there are
struggling survivors trying to be rescued, and on the big, heavy waves, there
are a few other ships barely making it out alive. As you look across the
painting you could see a stable lighthouse, which completely contradicts all
the chaos and activity that is going on in this painting. I believe the painter
put that light house there for a reason, to instill hope in people that even
after the worst kind of destruction, it will all get better eventually as time
goes by. The artist wanted the painting to signify the powerful force nature
has over man, which can also explain why space is incredibly crucial, since it
leave an impact on how we perceive and act. The environments we are
placed in can change our characteristics, by testing ones capabilities and
strength. This painting reminded me of the Armenian Genocide, which was
carried out in 1915, by the Turks of the Ottoman Empire. It was hard looking
at this painting, because it showed me the struggles my ancestors went
through during those tough years. However, there were many Armenians
who survived, and became more unified and powerful than ever. This
genocide has also influenced me in different ways, because it connects me
with the past, and makes me think more about the future and the person I
want to become.

Papazian

After spending so much time at all these different places, I realized that
my character has changed drastically. I was raised and taught to be cultural
and proud, but the environment I was placed in before CSUN restricted me
from seeing new things and exploring new ideas. Now that I am given the
opportunity of becoming a better version of myself, I have done far more
productive things then I had ever done before. I have not forgotten about my
cultural beliefs and morals, which I was taught in my home by my supportive
family and friends, ever since I entered this change in space, rather I have
become assertive in spreading my ideas and beliefs to others. Space is
important in influencing and changing ones perspectives. It can involve
small changes or even drastic ones; either way, the space one is placed in
can most certainly influence their identity and characteristics.

Works Cited
Kingston, Maxine Hong. "White Tigers." Woman Warrior. New York: Random House, 1989. 1753. Print.
Saroyan, William. "The Pomegranate Trees." The William Saroyan Reader. 1st ed. New York: G.
Braziller, 1958. 336-46. Print.