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Westernization is widespread in the modern world. It covers all parts of the globe and promotes the Western culture and ideology. However, cultural and ethical concerns emerge on the grounds of westernization practically in every non-western country, and China is not an exception. In her book My Several Worlds: A Personal Record, Pearl Buck discusses the issue of westernization along with personal and cultural struggles that the she experienced throughout her life. The main themes discussed in the book are the western influence on China, cultural preservation, and the history of China.

The western influence on China led to a number of changes, such as colonization and modernization. Previously, the main ruling power in China had always been an emperor, who preserved the Chinese cultural traditions and maintained the economy. However, the situation worsened when communists came to power, since their ideology greatly influenced the mentality of Chinese people. Unfortunately, China is not Chinese anymore due to the enormous impact of the processes of colonization and modernization. Chinese people no longer experience the stability of the emperor’s rule; therefore; they adjusted to new political powers and their ideologies. Westernization, which is, in fact, a beneficial factor for the economy, shifted the mentality that had been formed for hundreds of years. Nowadays, Chinese people tend to be more individualistic rather than collaborative, and less culturally involved.

Pearl Buck opens an insider perspective on the Chinese cultural preservation in terms of mentality, cuisine, and double identity. Pearl Buck claims that she felt more Chinese than other Chinese people she met, namely due to her upbringing in the traditional South China. Moreover, to show her connection to Chinese people, the author says, “I lived with the Chinese people and spoke their tongue before I spoke my own, and their children were my first friends” (Buck 19). Thus, it was natural for her to accept and to comply with the cultural norms that she learned subconsciously from just communicating with Chinese people. In addition, Pearl Buck comments on her food preferences, which are either seasonal or regional. The author thoroughly depicts the tastes and the smells of Chinese dishes she considers native. However, the double identity of the author made an impact on her life, provoking her first to flee China, and then to eventually to return to it. To emphasize her dual identity, Pearl Buck says, “I grew up in China, in one world and not of it, and belonging to another world and yet not of it” (Buck 51). Yet her mentality and her worldview were always focused on China and its future.

Lastly, historical events played a significant role in the establishment of new ‘Chinese’ in new China. The author provides a wider insider perspective on the major historical aspects, such as the rule of the last Chinese dynasty and the emergence of a new political government, that fueled changes in China. Certainly, for Pearl Buck, the empire’s traditions and customs were more natural and acceptable since they were established hundreds of years ago, and because they regulated the most crucial moments of life. However, new China was built on the promise of modernization and renewal, though it eventually destroyed the harmony in people’s lives. Additionally, as a result, Chinese people were often misunderstood and stereotyped due to the major difference between the culture of their world, East, and the culture of West.

Overall, the autobiography by Pearl Buck raises several pressing questions regarding the western influence on China, cultural preservation, and historical circumstances that led to the establishment of new China. The most significant mentality changes happened mainly due to the emergence of popular western values and traditions. However, according to Buck, the real Chinese would not renounce their ancestors’ traditions. Moreover, historical circumstances in terms of the new ruling power also contributed to these social changes.