Interpreting Infidelity: Reading a British Film, Brief Encounter (1945), by Hispanic Men and Women

Sharaf Rehman, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Original published version available at https://doi.org/10.3968/j.ccc.1923670020130905.2736

Abstract

This brief study presents the interpretations of a British film, Brief Encounter (1945), by 102 Hispanic-American college students. The film presents a tale of infidelity and deception by two married people. The subjects are invited to speculate on the responses and reactions of their partners in the event of infidelity. The subjects are also asked to contemplate their own reactions were they to face the situation of infidelity of their partner. The paper describes the differences in responses by men and women. The paper suggests that the audience’s reactions and interpretations to entertainment/media materials from other cultures are viewed through one’s own cultural perspective, thus people from different cultures watching the same movie or reading the same book may actually be having very different experiences and responses.