Intercultural Marriages

The short story of Hell-Heaven makes me question the practice of intercultural marriage. Deborah and Pranab could never quite set aside their cultural differences and just be happy together, even though they made it seem as if they had done so. The only way that their marriage could've possibly succeeded was if they had both aknowledged and nurtured both cultures, but instead Pranab shut out his Indian heritage and embraced his new western family without a thought to how that might affect him and his family in the future. Overall, this story of Hell-Heaven makes me think that intercultural marriage is nearly impossible, as people are accustomed to living their lives in the same fashions as their parents and those whom they grew up around; however, if it is to succeed I believe that both partners need to go into the relationship with their eyes - and hearts - open to the other's culture and their needs/desires that stem from the manner in which they grew up.