World Cultures and Geography
Plescia Fall
"My Big Fat Greek Wedding" essay assignment
The film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" follows the story of Toulah, a young girl struggling
with her Greek heritage while growing up in a suburb of Chicago. In this film there are
many examples of the terms we have discussed in class. You will see many examples of
cultural diffusion, ethnocentrism and of course the 7 Elements of Culture. How do the
characters in this film hold on to their cultural identity while adhering to the other cultures
around them? Your assignment is as follows:
#1-On this piece of paper, you will create a grid of the examples of the 7 Elements of
Culture.
#2-As we watch the film, look for examples of the 7 Elements and add them to your grid.
(For example, throughout the movie Toulahs' father reminds us that Greek is the origin of
many words used in English. You would put this in the LANGUAGE section of your grid.
Toulah's grandmother comes from Greece to live with her family, this would go under
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION/FAMILY. (You will have a hard time finding examples of
Government-don’t worry about that).
#3-Please write down examples of cultural diffusion as well as cultural confusion.
#4-Answer the following questions:
How is Toulah's childhood experience impacted by her heritage?
Why is language important to Toulah's father?
How are the customs and traditions of Toulah's family different from those of Ian,
her fiancé?
Which customs and traditions is Ian willing to embrace-or not?
How do the families try to adjust to their cultural differences? Are they
successful?
#5-Using the specific examples from your grid as well as the questions from #4, you will
write an in class response to the following writing prompt.
At Toulah's wedding, her father gives a very touching speech. What is the relevance
of the apples and oranges comparison? Think of the examples of ethnocentrism and
cultural confusion as we have discussed them in class. How does this comparison relate
to culture as we have discussed it in class? Please keep in mind the idea of traditional
vs modern, as we will revisit this theme throughout the semester.
You will staple this handout to the back of your essay.
You will need to include a background paragraph on the film-but do not simply retell
the storyline to me. I am asking you to address the writing prompt above.
Social
Organization
Language
Customs and
Traditions
Economic
Systems
Arts and
Literature
Religion
Government