Manaro, Latta, Knowles, and Spath 1

Michael Manaro, Lennox Latta, Nick Knowles, Zach Spath

Mr. David Turley
English I Honors
18 November 2015
A Persons Cultural Identity Can Determine Ones Fate
A cultural identity is often defined as the identity of a group, culture, or an individual
influenced by one's belonging to a group or culture. Society, intentionally or not, categorizes
people based on their orientation. This has been evident since the beginning of human existence.
Thus, cultural identity determines one's fate when a certain outcome is created simply because of
a persons last name religion, or race.
The Shakespearean drama Romeo and Juliet is a prime example of how ones cultural identity
can determine ones fate. The two families, the Montagues and Capulets, had an impact on
Romeo and Juliets lives. In the drama, Romeo and Juliet love each other, but they cannot be
together due to their last name. For example, Juliet says, O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou
Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name, or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I'll
no longer be a Capulet (II.ii.33-36). This quote shows how the couple is willing to do anything
to be with each other. Later in the play, they end up killing themselves, so they can be together.
This relates back to the theme because the families end up determining Romeo and Juliets fate
of their relationship, later leading to death. Romeo identifies as a Montague and this means he
cannot be with his love, Juliet. Since he cannot be with Juliet, he kills himself. Therefore, the
drama Romeo and Juliet accentuates the theme that cultural identity can determine one's fate.
The Holocaust is another example of how cultural identity determines ones fate based on
looks. Adolf Hitler, the former dictator of Germany, wanted to kill anybody who was not Aryan

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because he thought that the non-Aryans had been the reason the Germans were defeated in World
War I and the cause of the economic depression in the 1930s. He did not want anyone who did
not represent his ideal perfect society. In an effort to do that, he and his military managed to
wipe out the majority of the population who was imperfect, until the Allied forces fought back
and became the victors of World War II. He also wanted to keep the Aryan blood strong in
Germany and beyond. Thus, the Holocaust exemplifies how cultural identities can influence
ones fate.
Race is another example of how cultural identity can determine ones fate. During the Civil
War era, slavery occurred. The whites took innocent African-Americans and forced them to tend
their massive farms in the beating heat for little income. The slaves were beaten and some even
died just because they were African American and were considered better slaves. After slavery
was abolished, there were many individuals who were innocently restricted due to the fact that
they were a different or an abnormal race than everyone else. This was known as the
segregation period. This stopped African Americans from doing everyday activities such as going
to school, theatres, taverns, and other public places. The African Americans were also killed
innocently, determining ones fate.
Therefore, a person's fate is determined by their cultural identity. Whether it be in the past or
present, judgement based on a persons last name religion, or race has always been around. From
the Jewish people in the Holocaust to the segregation of African Americans and Caucasians,
society has never changed patterns of how they determine what people will accomplish based on
their ways of life or their cultural identity.

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Bibliography
Miladinovic, Milena. "Forming Your Cultural Identity." AFS. AFS Intercultural Programs Inc.
2015, 23 July 2013. Web. 13 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.afs.org/blog/icl/?p=3606>.
"The Holocaust." The Holocaust. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1677.html>.
"Was the Holocaust Only Against Jews?" Aishcom. Web. 23 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.aish.com/ho/i/Was_the_Holocaust_Only_Against_Jews.html>.