Themes and message

The main themes of the short story “The Royal Flush” by Lori Pollock are expectations versus reality, and cultural differences. The author’s message in the short story is that, sometimes, the good intentions of those in the developed world to help those from the developing world have unintended consequences, caused by Westerners underestimating cultural differences.

Cultural differences

The theme of cultural differences is explored through the short story’s plot and social setting. A girl (Lindsey) who comes from Western culture goes to an Asian country (Bangladesh) to be a volunteer. In Bangladesh, she discovers a very different culture and needs to learn “to pitch in and be adaptable” (l. 85). In other words, she cannot impose herself and her ideas about development and sustainability on the situation but has to adapt to the circumstances at the spot.

Lindsey needs to accept being pulled by a rickshaw driver, something she previously considered degrading for the driver. However, in Bangladesh, being a rickshaw driver is just another job. Additionally, because Bangladesh is a Muslim country, the story also touches upon religious differences.

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Expectations versus reality

The theme of expectations versus reality is explored through Lindsey’s character. Throughout the narrative, the character has all kinds of expectations which are contradicted by reality almost every time. She expects to go to Tanzania in a women’s project but is sent to a sustainability project in Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh, she expects her project to be about facilitating “sustainable initiatives with a focus on water conservation” (ll. 60-61),...

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