Comm 2025

Instructions: A person with intercultural empathy demonstrates an understanding of the complexity of what can be important to persons from a different culture. Instructions: Read the following story, then follow the instructions at the end for ranking the characters. Next, write a paragraph explaining how your ranking is a reflection of personal and cultural values. I have attached a separate answer sheet for your convenience.

The Parable of the Wicked River

ROSEMARY is a young woman about 21 years old. For a long time she has been engaged to a young man named HERNANDO and she is coming from a great distance to meet him for their scheduled wedding. The problem she faces is that between her and her betrothed there lies a river. It is no ordinary river, mind you, but a deep, wide river infested with hungry crocodiles. ROSEMARY ponders how she can cross the river. She thinks of a man who has a boat, whose name is SVEN. She approaches SVEN and asks him to take her across the river. SVEN replies, Yes, Ill take you across the river if youll spend the night with me.

Shocked at this offer, she turns to another acquaintance, LEE PAI, and tells him her story. LEE PAI responds by saying, Poor ROSEMARY, I understand your problem, but I dont see how I can help. Its really your problem, not mine. ROSEMARY, in desperation, decided to return to SVEN, and spends the night with him. In the morning, SVEN takes her across the river. She completes her journey and arrives in time.

Her reunion with HERNANDO is warm, but on the evening before they are to be married, ROSEMARY feels compelled to tell HERNANDO how she succeeded in getting across the river. HERNANDO responds by saying, I cant believe you would do such a thing. I wouldnt marry you if you were the last woman on earth. And he banishes her as a soiled woman.

Finally, at her wits end, ROSEMARY turns to our last character, SEIICHI. He listens to her story and says, What a terrible thing to happen. Rosemary, I dont love you, but I will marry you. And thats all we

The Parable Exercise

Step 1. Based on your own values, rank all 5 characters in the story, starting with the character you MOST APPROVE of and ending with the character you LEAST approve of. Follow each ranking with at least a sentence explaining the reason you ranked the character

1. Name of character you MOST approve of _____________________________.

a. Describe this characters behavior. ____________

b. Evaluate this characters behavior (or explain the reason for your ranking.)

2. Name of character who comes second ______________________________

a. Describe this characters behavior. ____________

b. Evaluate this characters behavior (or explain the reason for your ranking.)

3. Name of character who comes third ________________________________

a. Describe this characters behavior. ____________

b. Evaluate this characters behavior (or explain the reason for your ranking.)

4. Name of character who comes 4th _________________________________

a. Describe this characters behavior. ____________

b. Evaluate this characters behavior (or explain the reason for your ranking.)

5. Name of the character you LEAST of (or find most detestable) __________

a. Describe this characters behavior. ____________

b. Evaluate this characters behavior (or explain the reason for your ranking.)

Step 2. Write a paragraph of at least 5 sentences explaining how and in what way your ranking reflects your own personal and cultural values. In this same paragraph, discuss how a person with a different personal or cultural lens might see the events of this story differently than you.

This exercise is adapted from William Weeks, Paul Pedersen, & Richard Brislin (1979). A Manual of Structured Experiences for Cultural Learning. La Grange Park, IL: Intercultural Network.

Yes it is a speech class.