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 UNDERSTANDING
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
This page intentionally left blank
 CONTENTS

PREFACE xvii
ABOUT THE AUTHORS xxii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xxiii

PA R T I F U N D A M E N TA L C O N C E P T S I N I N T E R C U LT U R A L
C O M M U N I C AT I O N 1

CHAPTER 1 Why Study Intercultural Communication? 3

Practical Reasons to Study Intercultural Communication 5
Adjusting to Global Workplace Heterogeneity 5
Adapting to Domestic Workforce Diversity 7
Engaging in Creative Multicultural Problem Solving 8
Comprehending the Role of Technology in Global Communication 9
Facilitating Better Multicultural Health Care Communication 10
Enhancing Intercultural Relationship Satisfaction 11
Fostering Global and Intrapersonal Peace 13
Deepening Self-Awareness and Other-Awareness 14
Culture: A Learned Meaning System 15
Surface-Level Culture: Popular Culture 16
Intermediate-Level Culture: Symbols, Meanings, and Norms 18
Deep-Level Culture: Traditions, Beliefs, and Values 19
Stamping Your Intercultural Passport 21

CHAPTER 2 What Is Intercultural Communication Flexibility? 22

Defining Intercultural Communication: A Process Model 24

ix
x CONTENTS

Intercultural Communication Process: Overall

Characteristics 2 4
Intercultural Communication: Meaning Characteristics 27
Practicing Intercultural Communication Flexibility 28
Three Content Components: Knowledge, Attitude, and Skills 28
Three Criteria: Appropriateness, Effectiveness, and Adaptability 29
Developing Intercultural Communication Flexibility 30
A Staircase Model 30
An Essential Hook: A Mindful Perspective 32
Deepening Intercultural Process Thinking 33
Process Consciousness: Underlying Principles 33
Intercultural Reality Check: Do-Ables 37

CHAPTER 3 What Are the Essential Cultural

Value Patterns? 3 8
Functions of Cultural Values 40
Analyzing Cultural Values 40
Identity Meaning Function 40
Explanatory Function 41
Motivational Function 42
Ingroup–Outgroup Evaluative Function 42
Analyzing Cultural Value Dimensions 43
Discovering Cultural Values 43
Identity: Individualism–Collectivism Value Pattern 44
Power: Small–Large Power Distance Value Pattern 48
Uncertainty: Weak–Strong Uncertainty Avoidance Value Pattern 50
Sex Roles: Feminine–Masculine Value Pattern 51
Additional Value Orientation Patterns 52
Value Orientations: Background Information 52
Meaning: Activity Value Orientation 53
Destiny: People–Nature Value Orientation 54
Time: Temporal Value Orientation 56
Individual Socialization Development 57
Independent versus Interdependent Self-Construal 58
Horizontal versus Vertical Self-Construal 59
Internal versus External Locus of Control 59
Intercultural Reality Check: Do-Ables 62
 Contents xi

CHAPTER 4 What Are the Keys to Understanding Cultural and

Ethnic Identities? 64
Family and Gender Socialization 66
Families Come in Different Shapes 66
Gender Socialization and Interaction Patterns 69
Group Membership: Intercultural Boundary Crossing 70
The Process of Acculturation and Enculturation 70
Systems-Level Factors 71
Individual-Level Factors 74
Interpersonal Face-to-Face and Network-Level Factors 75
Mass Media–Level Factors 76
Group Affiliation and Identity Formation 76
Cultural Identity Conceptualization 77
Ethnic Identity Conceptualization 79
Ethnic–Racial Identity Change Process 81
Cultural–Ethnic Identity Typological Model 82
Racial–Ethnic Identity Development Model 83
Multiracial and Biracial Identity 84
Intercultural Reality Check: Do-Ables 86

PA R T I I C R O S S I N G C U LT U R A L A N D C O M M U N I C AT I O N
B O U N D A R I E S A D A P T I V E LY 8 9

CHAPTER 5 What Is Culture Shock? 91

Unpacking Culture Shock 93
Characteristics of Culture Shock 93
Pros and Cons of Culture Shock 95
Approaching Culture Shock: Underlying Factors 95
Initial Tips to Manage Culture Shock 98
Intercultural Adjustment: Developmental Patterns 98
The U-Curve Adjustment Model 100
The Revised W-Shape Adjustment Model 101
Culture Shock: Peaks and Valleys 106
Reentry Culture Shock 10 6
Reentry Culture Shock: Surprising Elements 107
Resocialization: Different Returnees’ Profiles 108
Intercultural Reality Check: Do-Ables 109
xii CONTENTS

CHAPTER 6 What Is the Connection Between Verbal

Communication and Culture? 110
Human Language: Distinctive Features and Rule Patterns 112
Distinctive Language Features 112
Multiple Rule Patterns 115
Appreciating Diverse Language Functions 118
The Cultural Worldview Function 118
The Everyday Social Reality Function 119
The Cognitive Shaping Function 120
The Group Membership Identity Function 121
The Social Change Function 122
Verbal Communication Styles: A General Framework 123
Defining Low-Context and High-Context Interaction Patterns 123
Direct and Indirect Verbal Styles 125
Self-Enhancement and Self-Humbling Verbal Styles 126
Beliefs Expressed in Talk and Silence 127
Intercultural Reality Check: Do-Ables 128

CHAPTER 7 What Are the Different Ways to Communicate

Nonverbally Across Cultures? 130
The Impact of Nonverbal Communication 132
Making Sense of Nonverbal Communication 133
One Code, Countless Interpretations 134
Verbal and Nonverbal Comparisons 134
Forms of Nonverbal Communication 135
Physical Appearance 1 35
Paralanguage 137
Facial Expressions 138
Gestures 1 41
Haptics 144
Boundary Regulations 1 45
Regulating Interpersonal Boundaries 146
Environmental Boundaries 146
Psychological Boundaries 147
Regulating Time 148
Intercultural Reality Check: Do-Ables 152
 Contents xiii

PA R T I I I M A N A G I N G C H A L L E N G E S I N I N T E R C U LT U R A L
R E L AT I O N S H I P S F L E X I B LY 1 5 5

CHAPTER 8 What Causes Us to Hold Biases Against

Outgroups? 1 5 7
Human Perception Tendencies: Some General Principles 159
Selective Attention 159
Selective Organization and Labeling 160
Selective Interpretation 160
Biased Intergroup Filters: Ethnocentrism and Stereotypes 161
Ethnocentrism and Communication 161
Stereotypes and Communication 165
Stereotypes: We Are What We Watch 167
Marking Ingroup–Outgroup Membership Boundaries 168
Us versus Them 1 6 8
Group Membership Struggles 169
Intergroup Attribution Biases 170
Shattered Lens: Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism 171
Prejudice: Multiple Explanations and Functions 171
Prejudiced Remarks or Innocent Jokes? 172
Four Discriminatory Practices 173
Different Types of Racism 175
Reducing Prejudice and Discrimination 177
Intercultural Reality Check: Do-Ables 178

CHAPTER 9 How Can We Manage Intercultural Conflict

Flexibly? 1 7 9
Intercultural Conflict: Cultural Background Factors 181
Culture-Based Conflict Lenses 181
Intercultural Workplace Conflict Grid 182
Intercultural Conflict Perceptions 187
Intercultural Conflict Goal Issues 187
Perceived Scarce Resources 189
Intercultural Conflict Process Factors 190
Defining Conflict Styles 190
Cross-Cultural Conflict Styles 195
Cross-Ethnic Conflict Styles and Facework 196
xiv CONTENTS

Flexible Intercultural Conflict Skills 198

Facework Management 198
Mindful Listening 199
Cultural Empathy 201
Mindful Reframing 201
Adaptive Code-Switching 202
Intercultural Reality Check: Do-Ables 202

CHAPTER 10 What Are the Challenges in Developing an

Intercultural-Intimate Relationship? 204
Developing Intercultural-Intimate Relationships:
Invisible Challenges 206
Cultural–Ethnic Membership Values 206
Love Expectations and Expressions 207
Autonomy–Connection Issues 208
Communication Decoding Issues 210
Intercultural-Intimate Relationship Attraction: Facilitating Factors 211
Perceived Physical Attractiveness 211
Perceived Similarity 212
Cross-Cultural Self-Disclosure Comparisons 213
Online Disclosure of Affection 216
Third-Party Matchmakers: Online and Mobile Dating 216
Intercultural–Interracial Romantic Relationship Development 218
Intercultural-Intimate Conflict: Obstacles and Stumbling Blocks 220
The Encounter: Prejudice and Racism 220
Countering Racism and Prejudice: Coping Strategies 222
Relational Transgressions and Terminations 223
Raising Secure Bicultural Children 224
Bicultural Identity Struggles 224
Cultivating a Secure, Multifaceted Identity 225
Intercultural Reality Check: Do-Ables 226

CHAPTER 11 What Are the Communication Issues Facing a Global

Identity? 2 2 8
Wired and On: The Roar of the Internet 230
The Internet as Our Central Station 230
Wired Communication 231
 Contents xv

The Transformation of Local and Global Identities 232

The Lens of Television: Identity Imitation 233
Global Television Impact 235
Be Hip, Be Hot, and Pop Culture Impact 236
Outsourced Beats: You Are What You Can Dance To 236
You Are What You Wear: Pop Culture as Fashion 237
Who and What Are e.netizens? 238
Defining the Background of e.netizens 240
Characteristics of an e.netizen Identity 240
The Dialectical Pulls of an e.netizen 241
Spatial Zone Dialectics 242
Temporal Dialectics 2 43
The Tipping Point: Communication Pattern Changes 244
Gadget Communication Patterns: Fast and Furious 244
Sharing Intimate Partners with a Gadget 245
Language Styles: Text, Tweet, Talk 245
Communicating to Be Social Change Agents 246
Present but Virtual 247
Personal Identities in Flux: The Global Face 247
Intercultural Reality Check: Do-Ables 248

CHAPTER 12 How Can We Become Ethical Intercultural

Communicators? 250
Intercultural Communication Ethics: Contemporary Issues 252
Global Standard Procedure and Local Justice Issues 252
Corporate Responsibility and Local Customary Practice 254
Cultural Value Clash and Communication Preference 255
Multiple Ethical Positions: Assessing Pros and Cons 255
Ethical Absolutism Position 256
Ethical Relativism Position 257
Ethical Universalism Position 257
Meta-Ethics Contextualism Position 258
Becoming Ethical Intercultural Communicators: Questions to
Consider 259
Becoming Flexible: Final Passport Do-Ables 261
In Conclusion . . . 2 6 5
xvi CONTENTS

REFERENCES 267
GLOSSARY 297
AUTHOR INDEX 311
SUBJECT INDEX 317
 PREFACE

T his text, Understanding Intercultural Communication, Second Edition, is written for you to
increase your appreciation, knowledge, and skills about intercultural communication.
With increased globalization and demographic changes in the United States, it is inevitable
that you will be communicating with people who are culturally different. Developing con-
structive, quality intercultural relationships can make life enriching and exciting to ourselves
and to people around us.
This book is an introductory text designed for undergraduate students, teachers, and
practitioners who are searching for a user-friendly text on the fundamentals of intercultural
communication. With the lens of flexible intercultural communication, we thread through
an abundance of intercultural material with a very practical theme.
This book emphasizes a strong value-orientation perspective and its effect on intercul-
tural encounters. It also addresses the complex role of cultural–ethnic identity and global–
local identity and their relationship to intercultural contacts in our increasingly pluralistic
U.S. society.
This text is distinctive because of its well-balanced emphasis on both international
intercultural communication issues and U.S. domestic diversity issues. Our pedagog-
ical approach to this book emphasizes a student-empowering philosophy via a tight
integration of culture-sensitive knowledge, attitude checkpoints, and pragmatic commu-
nication skills necessary to develop intercultural communication flexibility in diverse
contexts.

SPECIAL FEATURES

The second edition of Understanding Intercultural Communication is a book with many special
hooks and original features. For example, it offers first-time students the following:

• A comprehensive introduction to all the important concepts of intercultural

communication.

xvii
xviii PREFACE

• A sound knowledge base of contemporary intercultural communication research areas

that reflect multiple theoretical viewpoints.
• A wide-angle lens to learn about intercultural and interethnic communication concepts
drawn from diverse disciplines.
• A theory-practice emphasis via the use of timely, real-life news stories and case studies to
connect with key concepts in each chapter—starting from Chapter 2 and ending with
Chapter 12.
• A text with accessible language so that students, teachers, and practitioners of intercultur-
al communication can enjoy reading the book in an interactive manner.
• Simple tables and figures to highlight various important intercultural and intergroup
communication ideas.
• An intercultural “do-able” checklist at the end of each chapter to remind students to prac-
tice flexible intercultural communication skills in everyday interactions.
We have also updated many of the favorite features from the first edition and added several
new special features in this second edition:

• Beginning with Chapter 2, each chapter opens with a real-life news event or personal case
story to motivate students to reflect on and explore the connection between the story and
chapter concepts.
• Top Five Jeopardy boxes throughout the text to increase students’ global, pop culture, and
domestic diversity literacy.
• Blog Post personal narratives, stories, and poems throughout the text to connect abstract
intercultural concepts and principles with meaningful understanding.
• my.blog enjoyable mini-assessments that promote self-awareness and self-empowerment
and also encourage interaction with classmates through deeper dialog.
• Live-Chat or L-Chat realistic workplace or interpersonal scenes to illustrate the dynamic,
pulsating intercultural message exchange process.
• Hit-or-Miss mini-quizzes and mix-and-match questions on current global, international,
online, and intercultural issues.
• Blog Pic photos to transport students to globally and culturally different communities
where they will experience culture shock or cultural ambiguity.
• A well-designed Instructor’s Manual with many active learning exercises and activities
plus instructional tips for managing challenging topics in the intercultural classroom.
• A captivating Interactive Student Study Guide that encourages students to read the actual
text, reflect on and dialog about the interactive discussion questions, and, on their own,
continue their intercultural learning journey by checking out the suggested Web sites,
movies, books, and many other global and intercultural resource treasures.

WRITING THIS SECOND EDITION: ASSUMPTIONS AND CHANGES

Five initial assumptions guided the development of the second edition of this text. First, we
patiently waited to work on the second edition to harvest the continually maturing insights
of the intercultural–interethnic research field and the booming contemporary trends related
 Preface xix

to intercultural communication. We believe that the time is ripe now (theoretically and prac-
tically, for example, updating all Jeopardy Boxes on top five trends in the domestic, inter-
cultural, and international arenas), after a five-year interval, to update this book with fresh
research ideas, new perspectives, and the latest global trends and statistics (see, for example,
Chapter 11). Second, we wanted students to enjoy learning about the various concepts of
intercultural communication. Thus, we have intentionally integrated a carefully chosen set
of current, international news cases and real-life personal stories to highlight various inter-
cultural concepts. Third, we wanted to signal to students that there is no one right way to
practice competent intercultural communication in the twenty-first century—instead, there
are many adventures awaiting them and exciting opportunities to connect with globally and
culturally different others. Thus, the recurrent theme in this text is intercultural communica-
tion flexibility. Fourth, we would like our students to develop a strong global and cultural
consciousness via a self-empowered learning process—internalizing the inspiring individual
stories and accounts and developing their own personal narratives, explaining them with
the aid of the text’s concepts. Fifth, we wanted to have fun writing this book together—as a
way of celebrating our friendship on a continuous and light-hearted basis. As we approach
the ending journey of writing this text, we believe that we have realized our goals with joy
and exhilaration!
What are the changes or “news” in this Understanding Intercultural Communication,
Second Edition? Based on the thoughtful feedback of students, instructors, reviewers,
researchers, and practitioners using this text, and in conjunction with our own teaching
and training experiences using this text in the United States, Mexico, Canada, France, Ger-
many, Portugal, Switzerland, South Africa, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea,
we now identify the top twenty changes or selected highlights. In this innovative second
edition, we’ve:

• Throughout the entire text, called attention to the important role of technology in im-
pacting the intercultural communication message exchange process;
• Updated reasons for studying intercultural communication in Chapter 1;
• Introduced the vital concept of “culture” more quickly by moving its definition from
Chapter 2 to Chapter 1;
• Rearranged the “intercultural communication flexibility” theme from Chapter 1 to
Chapter 2 and discussed the theme with more depth;
• Included the “motivational” value function in Chapter 3 and updated some of the value
dimensions with the GLOBE project research results (see Chapter 3);
• Updated the complex discussion on “multiracial and biracial identity” in Chapter 4;
• Integrated more culture shock stories in Chapter 5 and eliminated some secondary con-
cepts concerning the culture shock “hostility” stage;
• Combined Chapters 6 and 7 into one coherent chapter: Chapter 6 on What Is the Con-
nection Between Verbal Communication and Culture?;
• Illustrated the nonverbal chapter (Chapter 7) with many fascinating global nonverbal
examples and new facial nonverbal photos;
xx PREFACE

• Throughout the entire book, updated all photos taken from various countries and re-
flected individuals from different walks of life, which we now call the Blog Pic special
feature;
• Updated many of the poignant personal stories and illuminating examples throughout
various chapters, which we now label as the Blog Post special feature;
• Introduced a popular training model, the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitiv-
ity (DMIS) in Chapter 8, on the “biases against outgroups” motif and provided a wealth
of current news examples on “E.S.P.” (ethnocentrism, stereotypes, and prejudice);
• Explained a new intercultural workplace conflict model in Chapter 9 and also empha-
sized the importance of adaptive code-switching in managing conflict flexibly via lively
dialog examples in the Live-Chat, or L-Chat,a special boxed feature;
• Inserted sections on online and mobile dating and “relational transgressions and termi-
nations” in Chapter 10 on “intercultural-intimate relationship” challenges and empha-
sized the bicultural/biracial identity struggles of multiracial kids;
• Updated the entire Chapter 11 on the theme of “global–local dialectical identity” and its
impact on intercultural communication and the accompanying communication change
patterns in various nations or cultures;
• Revitalized the final chapter, Chapter 12, on the motif of “becoming flexible and ethical
intercultural communicators” via the introduction of new concepts, and streamlined a
set of ethical guidelines and questions to guide students to formulate their own princi-
pled ethical stance;
• Throughout the text, updated the popular Jeopardy Boxes (plus also changed from the
top ten trends to the top five trends so that students can digest the information more en-
joyably) and included intercultural and global statistics up to May 2011;
• Retained the favorite self-assessment know thyself feature and renamed it as my.blog spe-
cial feature in this edition;
• Created a new special feature called Hit-or-Miss to invite interactive learning through fun
global knowledge quizzes and mix-and-match questions; and
• Added more than 250 new references and deleted some outdated ones.

BOOK DESIGN AND ORGANIZATION

This book is organized in three sections. The first section (Chapters 1–4) lays the foun-
dational framework and concepts of intercultural communication. The reasons for study-
ing intercultural communication and practicing flexible intercultural skills are articulated.
Major research areas, such as cultural value patterns (e.g., individualism–collectivism) and
cultural–ethnic identity, are explored—especially through the reflections of many cultural
voices and personal stories.
The second section (Chapters 5–7) emphasizes the process of crossing cultural bound-
aries and the dynamic process of intercultural verbal and nonverbal exchange encounters.
Topics such as developmental culture shock, language functions, and diverse cultural verbal
 Preface xxi

styles, as well as fun topics such as nonverbal space violations and cross-cultural hand ges-
tures are discussed and accompanied by lively intercultural examples.
The third section (Chapters 8–12) focuses on intercultural–interpersonal relationship
development contexts. Important factors such as E.S.P. (i.e., ethnocentrism, stereotypes, and
prejudice) are discussed in depth. Practical knowledge and skills to manage intercultural
conflict flexibly are proposed. Many animated conflict Live-Chat dialogs and interpersonal
examples are used to illustrate the development of intimate intercultural relationships. The
contemporary topic of the development of a morphing global–local identity is addressed
through a new concept we coined the “e.netizen” individual. We discuss the impact of tech-
nology and pop culture and its effect on our shifting value patterns. Finally, a cornerstone
theme, becoming an ethical and flexible intercultural communicator, rounds out the book.
Throughout this book, personal stories, poems, news cases, blog pics, fun quizzes, glob-
al trend statistics, ethical dilemmas, and practical skill “do-ables” are offered to empower
students to engage in active learning and to master the foundational concepts of intercul-
tural communication. At the same time, we strive to give first-time students an accurate and
enjoyable basic text to learn about intercultural communication. We want students to come
away with a special appreciation for the mindful efforts and the artful skills it takes to com-
municate across cultures adaptively and flexibly. We want them to also resonate with the
identity struggles in various forms as expressed by the diverse voices of multiple individuals
in many of the special feature stories.
As we and you begin traversing the landscape of this book, we hope we have succeeded in
motivating students and teachers to discover and to explore together: the unfamiliar worlds
and some unfamiliar words, the slippery slopes and the diverse terrains, and the vulnerable
faces and the amazing voices that struggle to be affirmed and listened to—from within and
beyond the classroom instructional setting.
 ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr. Stella Ting-Toomey is a professor of human communication
at California State University at Fullerton (CSUF). She received
her Ph.D. at the University of Washington in 1981. She teaches
courses in intercultural communication, intercultural conflict the-
ory and practice, and intercultural communication training appli-
cations. Stella is the 2008 recipient of the 23-campus wide CSU
Wang Family Excellence Award, and the 2007–08 recipient of the
CSU-Fullerton Outstanding Professor Award. Stella has published
numerous books and over 100 articles/chapters on the topics of
intercultural conflict competence and cultural and ethnic identity
negotiation process. Her publications have appeared in the Inter-
national Journal of Intercultural Relations, Communication Monographs, Human Communication Research,The International
Journal of Conflict Management, and Communication Research, among others. Two recent book titles are The Sage Hand-
book of Conflict Communication (with John G. Oetzel) and Managing Intercultural Conflict Effectively (Sage; with John
G. Oetzel). Stella has held major leadership roles in international communication associations and has served on
numerous editorial boards. She has lectured widely throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe on the theme of
mindful intercultural communication practice. She has also designed and conducted over 150 intercultural training
programs for corporations, universities, and social service organizations. Understanding Intercultural Communication,
Second Edition, (coauthored with Leeva C. Chung) is her sixteenth book. Stella is an ardent Lakers basketball fan and
she plays the piano for fun. She also enjoys walking through the quiet morning campus with her iPod Shuffle blast-
ing beautiful classical music in her ears. Those are her blissful moments.

Dr. Leeva C. Chung is a professor at the University of San Diego

(USD). She received her Ph.D. at the University of Oklahoma
in 1998. At USD, she teaches in both the Department of Com-
munication Studies and the Department of Ethnic Studies and
has won numerous teaching and mentoring awards on campus,
most recently the 2011 Davies Award of Teaching Excellence. In
addition to teaching abroad, Leeva teaches courses in intercultur-
al communication, ethnic identity, global teams, among others.
Her research interests include cultural, ethnic and global identi-
ty, aging across cultures, and pop culture. Her recent publications
include book chapters in Cross-Cultural Psychology: A Contemporary
Reader and Best Practices in Experiential and Service Learning. Leeva
has also published articles in the Global Media Journal, Journal for
Intercultural Communication Research, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, Communication Research Reports,
and Communication Reports. In the San Diego community, she serves as a founding member of the San Diego Asian
Film Foundation Festival. Leeva is proud to be a native San Franciscan and Giants fan.
xxii
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I f it takes a village to write a book and an entire symphony to make beautiful music, then
crafting Understanding Intercultural Communication, Second Edition, has been an orchestrat-
ed celebration. We are grateful to the many individuals who encouraged and motivated us
to bring this work to fruition. First and foremost, we want to thank our many students who
have contributed their voices and shared their intercultural experiences with us. Without
their unique voices, this book would have been quite abstract. We also want to thank our
colleagues and our respective departments at the California State University at Fullerton
(CSUF) and the University of San Diego (USD) for providing a supportive environment in
which to conduct our writing.
Second, we want to thank John Challice, Vice President and Publisher at Oxford Univer-
sity Press, for his enormous patience and good humor in waiting for the birth of this second
edition. Thank you to Mark Haynes, Caitlin Kaufman, Kate McClaskey, Theresa Stockton,
and the entire production staff at Oxford for their professional help and their determination
to make this book the “shining star” in the intercultural market. We also want to thank our
anonymous reviewers for their astute comments and thoughtful suggestions in preparation
for the second edition of this text.
We are also indebted to the reviewers who reviewed the previous first edition book:
Myrna Cornett-DeVito, Emporia State University; Robbin D. Crabtree, Fairfield University;
Fernando Delgado, University of Wisconsin–River Falls; Tina M. Harris, University of Geor-
gia; Armeda C. Reitzel, Humboldt State University; Diana Rios, University of Connecticut;
Arvind Singhal, Ohio University; and Candice Thomas-Maddox, Ohio University, Lancaster.
We are also thankful for the informal feedback and random conversations from intercultur-
al scholars, instructors, practitioners, and students who contributed many useful insights
that guided this revision.
On an individual level, our deepest gratitude and appreciation goes to ALEX FLECKY:
your unflappable demeanor when all things go chaotic, your razor-sharp eye in reviewing
and proofreading each chapter, and your exceptional organizational skills in keeping track
of all the special features in the text are astonishing to behold. We appreciate your poised
xxiii
xxiv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

friendship, sweet kindness, and your grace in moving us forward with faith that we will see
the light at the end of the tunnel.
We also extend our special appreciation to Peter Lee, who helped us in preparing the
tables and figures in the first edition and additional figures in the second edition. We also
thank Ngao for his assistance and feedback with our new figures in this edition. A big thank
you to Noorie Baig for all her diligent research assistant help in tasks small and big as we get
to the finish line. In addition, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Janet Bennett, the Executive
Director of the Intercultural Communication Institute, and all the Portland-Summer Insti-
tute of Intercultural Communication Workshop faculty, students, and staff for providing us
with a nurturing environment in which to dialog and actively engage ourselves in all things
intercultural.
As we wrap up this second edition, foremost in our mind are the late Dr. William (Bill)
Gudykunst and the late Dr. Richard (Rich) Wiseman of CSUF—two top-tier intercultural
scholars and dedicated teachers with their own distinctive instructional styles in the teach-
ing of intercultural communication effectiveness. We hope to pass on some of their spirit
and legacy through the various chapters of this text. We miss them sorely every day as we
walk through life without hearing their encouraging words or seeing their familiar, support-
ive faces.
We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the warm support of many
of our splendid students, friends, and families.

F R O M S T E L L A : I extend my special appreciation to many of my undergraduate and gradu-

ate students, who let me experiment and test many of the ideas in this book and so embrace
“zig-zag learning” as a playful teaching perspective. Your thirst for learning and your hun-
ger for creative teaching tools prompted me to become more risk-taking with each step or
dance I performed in the classroom setting. In discovering your passion, commitment, and
awakening, I’ve also uncovered my own joy, passion, and enthrallment for creativity in the
intercultural teaching arena. On an everyday basis, your positive energy for learning and
your willingness to stretch make me a better teacher every step of the way.
I also want to thank the following individuals for their delightful support and rays of
light at different phases of the development of this book: Jennifer Acosta-Licea, Noorie Baig,
Andrew Bottom, Annette Bow, Maria Chan-Sew, Jeanine K. Congalton, Tenzin Dorjee, Ge
Gao, Jean Hotta, Angela Hoppe-Nagao, Michelle Hu, Atsuko Kurogi, Peter Lee, Shelly Lee,
Hiromi Motozuka-Ladino, John Oetzel, HyeKyeung Seung, Miki Yamashita, and Ruifang
Zhang. To Annette Bow, your warm and radiant smiles brighten my day every time I step
into the main office. To Tenzin Dorjee, I treasure your peaceful friendship and having you as
my next-door office neighbor. You’ve provided me with a serene space to just hang out and
sit. To Jean Hotta, our “lonely tree” Monterey conference trip and your always caring friend-
ship mean tons to me. To Peter Lee, I value your long-time friendship, considerate gestures,
and steadfast companionship.
I also want to mention the special men in my life: my husband, Charles, and my son,
Adrian. To Charles, your kindhearted caring and Irish humor provide me with a safe ham-
mock to take a restful nap. To Adrian, I’m proud that you’re making good progress in CSUF
 Acknowledgments xxv

graduate school and am enchanted that you continue in my footsteps by majoring in the
intercultural communication field. You’re my premium joy and bliss in my life. Thank you
for being you—with lots of hugs and love.
I also want to mention my three special brothers—Tom, Henry, and Victor—to all three
of you, I treasure your support in good times and bad. To Big Brother Tom (BBT), thank you
for all the coaching advice you’ve given me to deal with the various life issues these past few
years. To Second Brother Henry, I appreciate your fighting spirit and your tenacity to hold
on with fortitude. To Youngest Brother Victor, I value your thoughtful attentiveness on many
celebratory holidays and birthdays—thank you for remembering all the special occasions
and more. Although we are spread out in different corners of the world, you are all constant-
ly in my warm soul and heart.

FROM LEEVA: First and foremost, this book could not have been completed without the
thoughtful reflection and feedback from my students, both here and abroad. I extend the
biggest shout out and MAHALO—for challenging me, laughing with me, embracing the or-
ganized chaos, all of which allowed me to be me. You all have been the x-factor that gives
me the passion to teach. (~.~)
I extend the warmest thanks to the following individuals for their unique and exception-
al contributions to this book at various developmental and psychological phases: aLx + Min,
Alex Bryan, Noorie Baig, Richard Brislin, Joyce Chan, Ling Chen, Adriana Rios-Collins, Chris
and Brenna, Kira Espiritu, Eduardo Espinoza, Minh-Ha Hoang, Daniel Jaimes, Leeann Kim,
Young Yun Kim, Eveyln Kirkley, Nancy Kuehnel, Gina Lew, Jon Nussbaum, Patricia Plovan-
ich, Mrs. Sutter, Thiagi, Paul Turounet, Joe Whitecotton, and of course, A. Rafik Mohamed.
A special thanks to Dean Mary Boyd and the IOG Committee for the time and monetary
support that enabled me to find time to finish the book project. To my advocates, Carole
and Kristin, thank you for pushing me to fly higher than I thought possible. A special thanks
to Catanzaro, for the space and eyes you provided me to get this manuscript done. To MEL,
your gifts of Southern etiquette, vicissitude, and real friendship mean the world to me. To O|
for your perspective and addicting kpop music—ya!
Grounding me and offering me humor and wit at each turning point of this journey were
my friends and ohana, both close and far: <3 to Haeme, Liliana, Toni, Monica, McCroskey,
and Lei—you’re all a major part of this accomplishment; my pride (Keige, Keean, Justin
Garrett, and P); So Jun and May K, resilient women to the end, you both live through me
every day; Ngao, for always challenging me to think critically and act responsibly—my love
and a special “holla” to you!!; and my incredible “sistas” who empower me at each turn
and make me laugh (“ah lai wah fan lai!”): your vigilant protection, no-nonsense attitude,
and unconditional love extended to me have given me the strength, confidence, and force
to overcome all obstacles and downplay the successes. It is because of both of you that I am
and will always be “keeping it real!”
It has been over twenty-two years since I met Stella at SCA (now NCA) and heard her
present her top-ranked conference paper. Inspired, I took the unexpected turn into acade-
mia and my wish to work with Stella resulted in numerous collaborations together—a path
completely unforeseen and still shocking to me. I am most indebted and grateful to Stella—
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
they presume to aim at my life, you will intercede. Use your influence
with Galba, do you understand, do you engage to this?” “I do,” said
Flavius, “as I hope for mercy myself.” “Enough,” said Nero. Almost
dreading the reality of this sudden and happy change, Cleone left the
presence of this dreaded tyrant of Rome; and he was left alone with
his miserable thoughts; the remembrance of the past, the horrors of
his dark deeds of cruelty, mingling with dismal forebodings of future
retribution. Starting in his hurried walk he listened with breathless
attention to the distant sounds in the city. Again, pacing the
apartment in agitation, he would mutter low and almost inaudible
exclamations, “No guests arrive; that is, of it itself, suspicious; the
traitors! They will all forsake me; yes, I will leave the city, without
delay; but, whither? To my country house; that will do, and let the
excitement subside. It was well to conciliate this Flavius by releasing
the Christian; his influence may do much; that Sybil! Her prophecy
weighs heavy upon me; where have I seen her dark visage before?”
Then he threw himself upon his couch; but, directly springing up,
“What is this?” said he, “I seem sinking into an abyss? Is there a
future after death? Ho! Anicetus.” As the freedman entered, he said,
“Are all things prepared? Have you secured my treasures?” “All is
prepared, my lord, and waiting your command.” “You, at least,
Anicetus, have no reason to complain of me; can I trust you?” “I will
be faithful to you till the last, my master.” “It is well,” said Nero,
“hasten our immediate departure; if I live, you shall not repent your
fidelity.”
 Chapter VIII

I know not if it were so, but to my mind it seems

As if the grass were greener then, and brighter the sun beams.

“My dear mother,” said Herbert, as Mrs. Wilson took her usual
place the next evening, “we desire your opinion. Does the fact that
we read this story at intervals lessen its interest?” “It would not in my
opinion,” said Mrs. Wilson. “I think a story, read in this manner,
affords more real pleasure and instruction than the common practice,
when the faculties become tired by the continued strain. It is a
species of intoxication which, after the excitement is ended, leaves
the mind tired and exhausted by over-exertion.” “I dare say you are
right, dear aunt,” said Susan, “but I confess that I was disposed to
quarrel with such a truth when Herbert told us he must be absent this
evening, and I do not like to have Charles disappointed.” “Charles
must learn to bear disappointments,” said his mother, smiling at his
earnest and sober look. “I have found the lines you wished to have
read, my son, and we will spend the evening in reading them.” “But,”
said Charles, “I wish the good young Christian was released from his
dreary dungeon.” “Never mind, dear Charles,” said Herbert, “the
anticipation of happiness is very pleasant, you know.” “Yes,” said
Elizabeth, “but you remember we have the very best authority for
saying that ‘hope deferred maketh the heart sick.’” “There seems to
be no alternative,” said Mrs. Wilson, “and we will endeavor to evade
this heart-sickness by diverting your attention to other objects, even
the pleasant scenes of our own home.”
So soon as they were all in readiness, Elizabeth read the following
REMINISCENCES OF LYNN

The remembrance of our youth

Is as a summer day, and brighter gleams
As the dark shadow of our life grows deep,
There is no home so dear to us as that
Which reared our childhood, and its pleasant scenes
Rise, dear to memory’s eye. Those old trees
Under whose shade our merry sports went on
Are dear as ancient friends. My early home!
While memory lives, thy peaceful, happy scenes
Will never be forgot. From that green lane
Extends a pathway, bordered with wild shrubs,
Ascending to the summit of a Rock,
That Rock of fame, surnamed the “Lover’s Leap.”
Not this, the Rock of old, whence Sappho sprang,
And, plunging in the cold and pitiless flood,
Ended, at once, her love, and her sad life;
For no deep water, flowing at the base
Of this steep Rock, offers so quick a cure
For hopeless love, nor do I know, in truth,
That hapless lover ever tried this leap;
But, so much have I heard, that an old cow,
Moved by some cause which never can be known,
Approached too near the brink, perhaps to graze
Upon the scanty grass, or the wild box
Which grew among its fissures, and, sad fate!
By a misstep, losing her balance, fell,
And lost her precious life; precious, no doubt
To some good, thrifty farmer’s wife, whose store
Of wholesome milk was thus diminished quite.
But nought have I to do with these sad tales
Of death; I love to think of those bright, happy days,
When, with a gay and happy troop of friends,
All happy, we patrolled the pleasant path
And rested on that Rock, and sang sweet songs
And laughed and talked, and wove gay wreaths of flowers.
How pleasant ’twas to watch the different shades
In the green foliage of the large, thick trees
Encircling the gray Rock, and mark the view
Of the rich landscape, stretching far and wide,
While, in the distance, rolled the vast expanse
Of ocean, mingling with the dark blue sky.
There is another Rock, not like this one,
Surrounded by green shade, but smooth and bare,
And High Rock is its name; a beacon this,
Seen from afar, and, from its highest point,
A lovely prospect opens to the sight.
On the declivity a Building stood,
An object of much awe to children’s eyes,
The Powder House, a magazine of wrath,
Which, when a child, I almost feared to touch,
Lest all its hidden terrors would explode;
And, lower yet, an Aqueduct, whose spring
Of clear, cold water, was a welcome treat
On a warm summer day; years bring great change,
Yet much I hope that spot is still unchanged.
One strong remembrance of that pleasant spot
Now presses on my mind, for, at its foot,
Upon the eastern side, stood a lone house,
Deserted, too, it looked, but ’twas not so;
For, though no pleasant signs of busy life
Were there, yet its patched windows showed
Some one had there sought shelter from the cold.
’Twas the far-famed Moll Pitcher’s house, the scene
Of many an hour of mirth, and some of pain,
The would-be prophetess, in sullen mood,
Would sometimes vex her votaries, boding ill
Of future times. I well remember once
Standing upon that Rock, with a gay group
Of young companions, and in merry play,
Joining with them in rolling down the steep
A shower of stones toward Moll Pitcher’s house;
But, as we played, the wind began to rise,
And some faint hearts among our little clan
Said the old witch had raised the wind in spite.
Our hearts beat quick with childish fear. At once
We left our sport and, running down the hill,
In the dread fear that the weird woman’s rage
Would yet o’ertake us, slackened not our speed
Until the friendly shelter of a house
Received our weary little frames at last.
Let not the wise deride our infant fear.
Where is the heart that has not beat sometime
At some dark, superstitious thought of ill
Impending; or the cheek that has not blanched
At some dread mystery yet unexplained?
Where are those gay and loved companions now?
Do they yet cluster round the same bright hearth
That blessed their childhood? Do they linger still
Among those lovely scenes of early youth
So fresh in my remembrance? Ah! how few
Are left to cherish the old memories!
Some, the dear playmates of my youthful days,
Rest in that sacred spot where the tall trees
Wave a kind requiem o’er the loved remains
Of many a cherished one, and others roam
To the far western land or sunny south
Where other friends, or other loves, are theirs.
A changing world is this, and if our hearts
Are here, how frail our tenure holds.
’Twould seem, in those young, happy days
There dwelt no sin or sorrow; simple joys
Were ours; the summer morning walk,
When the fresh air was perfumed with sweet flowers,
The wild Rose and the Sweetbrier, the sweet Fern,
The Bayberry and Box; all lent their aid.
There was an ancient wall whose mossy stones
Were almost hid by the luxuriant growth
Of the wild Grape; and the green spreading leaf
Of the low blackberry, climbing o’er its top;
While, interspersed among its kindred sweets,
The rich, black thimbleberry found a place.
There have I strayed, what time the glorious sun
Rose from the ocean, and his splendid hues
Crimsoned the wide horizon, and supplied
My morning bowl of milk with a rich treat
Of juicy berries, breathing the fresh air,
Inhaling health with every passing breeze.
And even when winter, with its freezing breath,
Chilled the whole atmosphere, when the green shade
And the sweet flowers were gone, new pleasures came.
The smooth and polished ice, the hard, white snow,
Sparkling in the bright beams of the clear sun,
Afforded sport for many a winter day.
But when, at evening, the gay, cheerful fire
Called us around it by its kindly warmth,
When dear relations and loved friends were met,
Encircling its clear blaze, then was the hour
Most coveted, the hour when harmless mirth,
Improving converse and the merry glee
Of happy childhood joined in sweet accord.
How often have I listened at that hour
To the sweet song, the lively jest, and oft
To the sad tale of shipwreck, or some tale
Of other times, when our forefathers came
From distant lands, where wicked rulers sought
Their overthrow, and came to worship God
In these, then, dreary wilds, in their own way.
How the dark, stealthy Indian sought their lives;
Sickness and famine preyed upon their health,
And death removed their loved and dearest ones;
But how their God sustained them thro’ their grief
And made them a great people, and that now,
When we behold their populous towns, their lands
Of rich fertility, and happy homes,
We know the Lord had led them here for good,
And prospered all their hands had sought to do.
’Tis the sweet morn of early youth that fits
Our hearts for useful life; let but our home
Be the resort of love and peace, of trust
In the wise providence of God, and years
Will not efface the deep, strong memory,
Though we may wander from the rightful way
We never shall forget the well taught way,
And conscience, like a trusty friend, will point
To the abode of peace and lead us there.
Land of our birth! our own America!
May thy fair sons, as plants of goodly growth,
Arise; and as the polished corner-stones,
Thy lovely daughters be thy pride and boast.

“You shall select poetry for me, Charles,” said Susan, “since you
so justly appreciate my taste. In the summer we will retrace these
pleasant scenes.” “I know them all,” said Charles, “and many more I
will show you, Susan.” “There are many lovely spots around us,” said
Elizabeth, “and the history of some of them connected with the early
settlement of the town.” “Do you remember, Charles, that in our ride
last summer I pointed out to you a delightful situation situated upon a
point of land projecting into the ocean?” “Yes, mother, and Elizabeth
said it would not be so pleasant in the winter on account of its
exposure to the sea.” “I will relate a circumstance connected with
that situation, which must conclude our evening’s entertainment. An
English gentleman, the younger son of a noble family, determined to
leave his native land and settle in America. His fortune, which was
not sufficient to support him in England in that style and opulence
which he thought consistent with the dignity of his family, would be
ample in America for all the luxuries of life. He had married a young
and lovely wife and did not find much difficulty in persuading her to
follow his fortunes; but she overestimated her strength when she
bade farewell to the home of her birth, the friends of her childhood.
She suffered much from sickness during her voyage and, weakened
both in body and mind, landed upon this, to her, a home of strangers.
That sickness of the heart, which we emphatically term
homesickness, seized her; she became melancholy and unhappy
and even the soothing affection of her husband failed to disperse the
deep gloom of her mind. With the hope that change of scene would
benefit and amuse her, he made frequent excursions in the country
around Salem, where they then resided, and one of these was in the
neighborhood of the situation I showed you. She immediately
recognized a resemblance to the scenes of her youth, her first home.
The mansion of her birth stood upon the seashore, the sound of the
rushing waters was like the lullaby of her infancy, and the rugged
rocks were associated in her ideas with those around her own loved
home in England. Delighted that she had found a spot congenial to
her feelings, her husband caused the building which you saw to be
erected, and, adopting it as another home, she became tranquil and
happy, lived beloved and respected and reared a family of children,
some of whose descendants still reside upon the same spot.” “It is
not always local situation which causes this deep attachment to
home,” said Mary. “It is wisely ordered that it should not be so,” said
Mrs. Wilson. “Mother,” said Charles, “may I repeat those lines upon
our native land?” “Do so,” said his mother.

“There is no passion in the human breast

So deep implanted as the love of home,
’Midst the rude mountains, where eternal snows
Rest on their towering height, or, hanging o’er.
Threaten each passing traveler with death.
In the secluded valleys dwell a race
Of hardy mountaineers, whose lowly huts
Are to them dearer than the whole world’s wealth.
And, on Arabia’s sandy desert soil,
Where no rich verdure greets the passing eye,
Where no cool, murmuring stream salutes the ear,
The wild Bedouin wanders, bold and free,
Boasting his home, the happiest and the best,
And claiming for himself Heaven’s richest gift,
The gift of Freedom. The fierce Indian tribes,
Panting for war, gaining their daily food
By the precarious chase, their hardy frames
Inured to hunger; yet, with strongest ties
Cling to their native land; it is their Home.
Far in the frozen regions of the North,
The dwarfish native of those dreary plains
Turns, with disdain, from him whose kindly zeal
Would lure him from his cold and gloomy land.
While, under burning skies, in torrid climes,
The dull inhabitant, in calm content,
Dreams through his life in sluggish indolence.
Nor cares, nor wishes for a happier home.”
 Chapter IX

“How’s this, boy? Why are the props removed from this frail plant?”
“The gardener, sir, removed them, for, he said, the plant, depending
on their kindly aid, grew feeble, tho’ luxuriant.”
“Aye, ’tis e’en so”; and thus, with watchful care,
Our Heavenly Father takes away our props,
And, if we grow too wild, with judgment true
And constant love, he prunes till all is right.

At the first convenient opportunity Herbert resumed the tale of the

early Christians.
From the scenes of confusion we have described, we will return to
the Appian palace, where lay, in peaceful rest, the remains of its
honored master. The domestics were busied in preparing the funeral
honors for one, so revered and beloved; some in arranging boughs
of Cypress before the doors; others in adorning, with rare and
beautiful flowers, the couch of the deceased, or in distributing
aromatic plants about the apartment. The soft night breeze stole
through the open windows, the air seeming to breath the sweet
peace which surrounded the deathbed of the aged saint. The heart
of one mourner in this quiet mansion, was bowed down with grief,
but she was not left alone with her sorrows; the kind recluse
remained with her, shared her grief, and sought to soothe her
anguish. Absorbed in their anxieties, they sat in the portico, which
commanded a view of the imperial palace, and, upon the steps, with
her dark eyes fixed upon them, sat the female, whose predictions
caused the guilty tyrant to tremble; but the wild expression of her eye
was now softened, and her whole aspect changed. “He has gone to
his rest,” said she, “and light and gentle will the sod repose upon his
breast, for it was the abode of kindness, and sweet will be the
requiem over his remains, for it will be the lamentation of the poor
and afflicted.” Then, turning to Sister Helena, to whom she did not
seem a stranger, she said, “The spirit of the good and just must
ascend to the heaven of your faith; but where is the final resting
place of the guilty soul?” “Mother,” said she, “there is time left for us,
who are still inhabitants of earth, to repent and forsake our sins.”
“Say you so?” said the woman, and her earnest gaze and trembling
limbs betrayed her emotion. “But what is lengthened time to me?
Listen to the tale of one whose life has been a long, long day of
misery. Thessaly was the land of my birth; my infancy was bright as
the dreams of the morning; but the destroyer came; the Romans, like
the ravening wolves, poured upon our plains; my father fell,
defending the home of my childhood, and my mother, with the
wretched being, before you, was enslaved by the conquerors. Borne
down by misery, she sank beneath the weight, and, while exposed in
your market place, for sale to the highest bidder, I saw my last friend
expire, and, the unfeeling crowd estimated the loss to the owner. I
stood alone amid the multitude, my heart swelled in agony, but hate
for the oppressor, and desire of revenge prevailed over all; I clasped
my throat, that I, too, might die and disappoint, still more, our brutal
enslaver, but, as I tightened my hold, and all things grew dim around
me, a hand grasped my arm and a voice of compassion saluted my
ear. After a few words with my master, I became the property of
Marcus Curtius; he pitied my distress; he caused the remains of my
mother to be interred, and, each day, her child was permitted to deck
her grave with flowers. I was reared with kindness, but, to, all, save
my protector and his immediate family, my heart was bitter with
hatred. In the dreams of my disturbed slumbers, the home of my
happiness would appear before me, its fertile fields, its rich groves of
olives and figs, the vine-covered porch, the sweet songs of my
country; then the scene of my father’s death, my mother’s dying
glance, and I awoke in agony and despair; revenge in any form was
the only object of my thought. This passion I nurtured, and when civil
wars drenched the country in blood, when the family of my protector
was dispersed, opportunities of gratifying it were daily presented. I
did not embrue my hands in blood, but my heart exulted in the woes
of the enslavers of my country; I did not take life, but I did not save it,
when it was in my power. Years rolled on; I had no home, for I
abhorred the haunts of mankind. The mountain cave was my shelter,
the wild fruits of the mountain my food; but, almost unknown to
myself one tie was yet unsevered. The mild glance of pity, bestowed
upon me, when helpless and alone in the world, was never forgotten,
and the occasional kind word, and look of sympathy had sank deep
into my heart. I still cherished a kindly remembrance of the house of
him who had saved me, perhaps, from a worse fate than death. In
my wanderings I encountered a being as wretched as myself; she
taught me to gratify my ruling passion by attempting to dive into
futurity, to render the life of man more wretched, by foretelling the
events which are to come. In the depths of the forest, in the recesses
of the mountain would we invoke the power of fiends, with the malice
of demons would we prepare spells to impose upon the credulity of
the ignorant, and, with horrid glee, aggravate the grief of mankind, of
the wretched. Is there hope,” said she, rising, “for such as I am, with
the God of purity and love whom you worship?” “Even so,” was the
mild and soothing response of Sister Helena. “He has been leading
you by a way which you knew not. He has been removing all your
stays, that you may be stayed only upon Him; your father, country,
mother, the protectors of your youth, every joy and comfort, and now,
at the close of a long life, He calls you to Himself. Though the sins
be as crimson, they shall be white as wool.” The Sybil bent her head;
the sweet hope of mercy softened her heart; all was quiet around,
among the aged trees, whose branches shaded the venerable
mansion, a nightingale had chosen her seat, and, at intervals,
poured forth her soft melody. During the silence, solemn music arose
from the apartments within, and a chorus of voices sang the
following hymn:

Mourn not for him, whose lengthened years

Have closed in holy peace;
His home is now where neither tears
Nor sorrows find a place.
Like as the sun, in glory bright
Sank ’neath the glowing sky,
To rise again, with morning light
And greet us in the sky.
So bright, so peaceful, closed his day,
So glorious will he rise,
Jesus has pointed him the way
To bliss beyond the skies.

The sounds died away, and when the aged woman raised her
head, her moistened eyes expressed her emotion. “To find objects,”
she continued, “on whom to wreak any vengeance I again sought the
abodes of man; my predictions were heard with awe and terror;
many a young heart, throbbing with hope and visions of bliss, have I
caused to beat with dreaded anticipations of evil, and blasted many
a dream of happiness. My unhallowed occupation was attended with
danger, and, at one time my life was in jeopardy. I was threatened
with torture and death, and, publicly exposed, was upon the point of
meeting a deserved doom, when Nero, passing the spot, caused
inquiries to be made as to the cause of the tumult. His was a heart
exulting in all the evil passions of human nature, and the being at
enmity with all the world might claim kindred sympathy with him. He
ordered my release, and, when with sullen disdain, I denounced him,
and foretold his crimes, he jeeringly said I should be under his
protection, and forbade any interference with my vocation. But,
amidst all my misery and crime, I did not forget the family which had
shown me kindness. I followed their career in weal or woe; their
enemies were doubly mine. Wandering in search of food, at one time
a fierce wolf sprang from his lurking place, and an instant more
would have ended my guilty life, but an unerring arrow, from an
unseen hand, struck his heart, and he lay dead at my feet. A young
Roman emerged from the thicket, and my eye immediately
recognized, in his noble countenance, one of the only race whose
features raised a kindly feeling in my breast. He gazed upon my
haggard form with wonder. “Give God glory,” said he, “He has saved
you from a dreadful death.” “My life is a burden,” was my sullen
answer, “I give thanks to no being. I own no God, and man is my
deadly enemy.” Again I saw the same pitying expression of
countenance, which had saved me when a child. “If,” said he, “man
has injured you, God is your avenger; if you have injured him, God is
your judge, and if you are wretched, God will be your comforter.” It
was the son of your love; for whose blood the tyrant thirsted, who
saved me from the savage beast; whose words first caused a ray of
hope to enter this dark heart.” “And must this son, perish?” said the
mother, in the piercing accents of grief, “must I never again see him?
and my Cleone,” and anguish checked her utterance. “The hours of
the life of his persecutor are numbered,” said the Sybil, “and not by
my vain art do I know this. The city is even now in commotion; the
Senate have decreed his death; hear ye not those sounds of wild
uproar? Hear ye not the shouts of the soldiers?” They listened with
intense attention, and the distant cries of “Death to the tyrant” were
plainly distinguishable amidst the hoarse clamor of the mob; and
occupied by the most anxious suspense, it was some moments ere
the matron observed the sinking form of the recluse and her deathly
paleness. She was prevented from summoning assistance by her
sudden arousing to exertion. “His death, mother?” said she, “didst
thou say his death? Will they not leave him the possibility of
repentance? Would I might see him, even now!” “To what purpose,”
said the aged Sybil, “his heart is as the flinty rock upon which the
wild waves of the ocean have beaten for ages. Thy life might be the
forfeit.” “Mother! the smile and word of kindly sympathy sank deep;
never to be eradicated from thy remembrance; Nero! this tyrant of
Rome; this monster so detested by humanity, was kind to her, who
now would sacrifice life so she might kindle a spark of hope in his
benighted soul.” The sounds from the now fully aroused multitudes
of Rome were increasing to deafening outcries, and the attendants
surrounded their mistress. “There are footsteps approaching,” said
one, and, issuing from the shaded pathway, Cleone and the faithful
domestic, who had, with Lucius Flavius, accompanied her to the
palace, stood before them. The heartfelt thanksgiving of her mother,
as she clasped her in a close embrace, the joyous welcome of the
domestics, the tears of gratitude, which stood upon the cheeks of the
recluse, seemed even to awake sympathy in the stern heart of the
Sybil. “But your brother, my Cleone?” “He will be saved, my own
dear mother. Nero has commanded his release, and he will soon be
restored to us.” The simultaneous burst of triumph around, showed
the affection borne to their noble young master, and words would fail
to express the joy and thankfulness which pervaded the breast of the
pious mother. “I leave you for a space, dear friends,” said Helena, “I
leave you, rejoicing in the grace of God, and if we meet no more on
earth, let me greet you in a happier home above. There,” said she,
raising her beautiful eyes to heaven, “there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow nor sighing.” “And thou art going?” said the Sybil. “To
perform my duty,” said she, and disappeared in the thicket.
At this time the principle streets of Rome presented a spectacle of
intense interest. A legion of the army, bearing the Imperial Eagle, the
long tufts of their helmets waving in the breeze, preceded a car,
guarded by cavalry, whose burnished armor reflected every ray of
light, in which was seated Servius Galba, the newly elected Emperor
of Rome. At intervals the brazen trumpets poured forth their
triumphant notes, the deafening shouts of thousands swelled upon
the air, and mingled cries of victory and execration burst from the
countless multitude. As the imposing procession approached the
palace of Nero, the tumult increased, the rumor spread that its
detested master had fled, and the terrible cry of “death” resounded
on every side. The brilliant illumination of the splendid building had
faded into gloom, the music had ceased, and its inhabitants had
dispersed in terror. Such are the vicissitudes of greatness. The
despotic Emperor, whose mandates, but a few hours before, were
obeyed with servile fear, to whose debasing pleasures the riches of
the world were subservient, and for the gratification of whose malice
thousands had expired in agonizing tortures, was now a despised
fugitive, a proscribed criminal, proscribed alike by the laws, as well
as the justice of his injured country. Amidst this tumult, with hearts
throbbing with praise and thanksgiving to God, the young Christians,
after Curtius had been so unexpectedly released from his prison,
parted for a short time; Curtius to make glad the hearts nearest and
dearest to him by his return home, and Flavius to fulfil his
engagement with Nero, to intercede with the new Emperor for the life
of the miserable and despicable tyrant.
Avoiding the excited populace, two persons had, by the most
obscure passages, approached the Imperial Palace; the one an
aged man, wrapped in a dark tunic and supporting his steps by a
staff, the other a female, closely enveloped and cautiously shielded
from observation. As they drew near the colossal entrance their
course was arrested by a sentry and, on requiring admittance to the
presence of Nero, they were answered by derision.
 “Admittance for a grey cowl! by my faith, no; but for this gear,” said
he, “I will warrant a passage, though shaded by a hood and
enshrouded in a frieze mantle.”
“Peace, rude brawler,” said the aged man, “attend to thy vocation.”
“My vocation now,” said the fierce soldier, “is to silence such
greybeards as thou,” but, as he raised his truncheon, the female,
raising her hood, and stepping before her companion, said:
“Wouldst thou harm one to whom the Father of all things has
allotted so long a term of life? Suffer us to pass to the presence of
Nero and accept the thanks of one who has no other guerdon to
bestow.”
Struck by the transcendent beauty of the suppliant and awed by
her manner, he lowered his weapon, but still refused admittance to
her companion.
“If his tongue wag not too freely,” said he, “yonder bench may
afford him a resting place; for thee, fair one, if it chooseth thee, thou
mayst try thy fortune within, but, by the powers of Erebus, I warn you
not to pursue the venture. Dost thou hear the commotion and uproar
of the city? and the near approach of the tumult? Within the palace
there is confusion: the lights are extinguished and, methinks, there is
danger in the wind. Best retrace thy way, pretty one, with thy crusty
fellow-traveler; his journey of life is too nearly ended to be an able
protector for thee.”
“If there is danger, friend, why dost thou stay to encounter it?”
“I am a Roman soldier,” said he, proudly; “my post is here and,
come what may, I shall retain it.”
“I, too, soldier, have my post of duty; for thee, father, I pray thee
return by the unfrequented path we traced on our way hither.”
“I leave thee not, my daughter,” said the old man, “but will rest my
wearied limbs a brief period; in the meantime, may the Lord bless thy
purpose!”
“Amen, holy father,” said the recluse, for with the hope that at this
moment of terror the stubborn heart of Nero might be led to
contrition, she, who had once been as the day-star of his life, had
now sought his presence, fearless of her own risk, in confronting his
revengeful rage.
A slave guided her steps through the lofty halls, whose arched
ceilings glittered with representations of the starry firmament, while
showers of sweet fragrance filled the air with odors. Ere they had
passed far they encountered many slaves who, with hurried steps,
were hastening to the entrance.
“How go matters now, Curio?” said the guide.
“Lacca has returned,” said the one addressed. “The Legions are in
motion; Servius Galba is proclaimed Emperor and Nero has fled.
Save thyself, Arrius, hearest thou not the approach of the
insurgents?”
“Nero fled!” said the startled guide. “A truce to thine errand, then,
fair lady. Thou art too late.”
“Too late indeed,” she said, clasping her hands in anguish. “Yet,
stay, friend.” It was vain, for the alarmed servitor had followed his
fellow slaves; and uncertain and distressed, she stood irresolute,
which way to shape her course. At this moment the Sybil stood
before her.
“Said I not his hour of mercy had passed?” said she. “A night of
hopeless gloom has closed around him, and clouds envelope the
sweet star of mercy. Said I not so?”
“Hope is not lost, mother,” said the recluse. “Shall we limit the
power of the Omnipotent? There is yet hope, even for Nero.” The
roar of inflamed and furious thousands now broke upon their ears.
The Palatine hill was surrounded and, with speed unparalleled in one
so aged, the Sybil drew her companion along a narrow entrance to a
secluded path which led through the magnificent gardens of the
palace, now deserted by all save straggling bands of fugitives. “Stay,
mother,” said the recluse, “Father Paulo is left behind. He awaits us
near yon column.” As they drew near the aged priest rose from his
reclining posture. “Blessings on His Name, daughter, for that he hath
returned thee in safety. Let no harrowing fears perplex thee for him
whom thou hast sought to save; he hath sown the wind and he must
reap the whirlwind. “His Holy Name be blessed,” said the recluse;
and, in silence, they passed on their way. The soft plashing of the
fountains, whose lucid drops sparkled in the moonbeams, the dewy
freshness of the lawns, and the gentle breathing of the night air
contrasted with the wild fury behind them and the storm of unbridled
vengeance which now encompassed the palace and shook even its
foundation, soothed the perturbed spirit and hushed each murmuring
passion to peace.
Herbert closed the book. “It must be deeply interesting,” said he,
“to visit this ancient city. Its scenes are so intimately connected with
events of history which are familiar to us from childhood, and so
many of its features must remain unaltered. The ancient tombs are
still there, the same old pavements are frequently unearthed which
were trod by those heroes whose names are familiar to us as
‘household words,’ and whose stones have been swept by the royal
purple. The Tiber will still pursue its winding course, and the lofty
Apennines still bound the prospect, although time demolishes its
mighty works of art.” “Was not Virgil born under the Roman
government, Herbert?” said Charles. “He was, and highly favored by
Augustus Caesar, the most powerful monarch of Rome.” “Do you
think there were such delightful rural scenes in those times as he
describes in his Pastorals?” said Susan. “In the earlier days of
Rome,” said Herbert, “before luxury and its attendant vices had
enervated and destroyed the energies of the country, the
employments of the husbandman and shepherd formed the principal
occupations of the people; to excel in agriculture was to acquire a
title to public respect, and some of their most powerful dictators and
bravest commanders were ‘taken from the plough.’ At the time to
which our story refers, husbandry was regarded with less respect
than in former times. The cultivation of the fields was often
committed to the care of slaves; the introduction of foreign luxuries
had paved the way for crime in all its forms, and from that time the
progress of the nation was downward. The pleasant scenes of
country life, described by Virgil, were probably drawn from nature,
embellished, perhaps, with a poet’s license.” “But the beauty of these
Arcadian scenes,” said Mrs. Wilson, “is associated in our minds with
the idea of innocence and virtue; we believe they were happy,
surrounded by these scenes of rural beauty, because they were
good.” “True,” said Herbert, “let us but imagine their delightful
groves, their breezy hills and green pastures to be the resorts of vice
and crime, the charm is broken at once; we no longer dream of the
beauty of the ‘spreading beech,’ the rich taste of the ‘golden apples,’
or the sweet murmuring of the ‘mossy fountains’; instead of the
bright sunshine of peace and happiness, the gloomy clouds of sin
and misery would disfigure every beauty.” “Such is the effect of
virtue,” said his mother, “every charm is heightened by its presence,
and every beauty destroyed by its absence.” “How pleasant,” said
Susan, “to read Virgil’s description of a northern winter, over a bright
fire!” “The pleasures of his winter evenings, however,” said Mary,
“were confined to frolic and play, and their refreshments to ‘acid cider
and beer’; how different from our evenings, where there are ‘fireside
enjoyments, home-born happiness.’” “Yes,” said Elizabeth, “and, to
continue your quotation:

“‘Discourse, not trivial, yet not dull;

Not such as, with a frown, forbids the play
Of fancy, or proscribes the sound of mirth.’”
 Chapter X

The seeds of virtue should be sown;

God will protect their growth.

Circumstances intervened to prevent the continuation of the “Tale”

for a short time but, on the evening of the Sabbath day, Herbert read
a sacred poem upon the subject of Christ’s restoring the sight of the
blind.

Land of a chosen race, the gift of God,

Whose soil the feet of holy patriarchs trod,
Thy fertile valleys, bright in summer’s glow,
Thy cloudless skies, illumining all below,
Thy mountains, snowy with their thousand flocks,
And sweetest honey flowing from thy rocks,
Call for the grateful praise, the adoring thanks
Of Him who highest in creation ranks.
Say: has that being life, who views this scene
With dull, cold eye, and an unaltered mien?
Turn, proud descendant of a cherished line!
Mark the rich gifts, and bless the Power divine;
Let thine eye rest on fields of waving grain,
In bright luxuriance, waving o’er the plain,
On groves of olives, round the green hill’s side,
And clustering vineyards stretching far and wide,
On splendid palaces, the city’s boast,
And cottages, ’midst sheltering foliage lost,
Shaded from noon-tide’s radiant burning beam,
The seats of calm and deep repose they seem;
Then, on that suffering object cast your eye,
Who sits, dejected, ’neath yon glowing sky;
’Midst all this beauty, all this calm repose,
No soothing joy the lonely blind man knows;
Dark, dark, to him, this smiling scene appears,