The purpose of this paper is to perform a macro analysis of the story of Lia Lee and her family who move to Merced, California after fleeing from China. Lia Lee is epileptic. Her treatment becomes problematic due to the language barrier between her family and her doctors. The treatment of Lee is also hindered by the difference in belief between her parents and the doctors; Lee’s perceive their daughter’s illness as a spiritual matter while the doctors assess it from a medical viewpoint. Micro-level analysis is used to explain phenomena relating to specific relationships among individuals in smaller social contexts. In this case, the micro-level analysis using the symbolic interactionist perspective reveals the challenges of the language barrier and cultural misunderstanding which Lia’s family must confront as immigrants. A macro-level analysis is used to explain why societies form, and the patterns through which societies evolve and change. In this case, the macro-level analysis of the story of Lia and her family is based on conflict theory. The endless evictions represent class struggles in the society where minorities such as the Lee family are on the receiving end of the excesses of the dominant classes. Applying the symbolic interactionism model on the interaction between Lia’s family and her doctors reveals the challenges of the language barrier and cultural misunderstanding which Lia’s family must confront as immigrants. It is also evident that meaningful communication can only be achieved when the gap between social structure and self is bridged. Notably, the competition for resources as the perpetual state of the society emerges as the genesis of the tribulations of Lia and her family, and finally, racial prejudice in the United States where minorities are at the mercies of the dominant races.
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