Many such novels use the protagonist's journey. In 'Neverwhere', Richard Mayhew enters a hidden London with its own rules, language, and customs. His reactions to the strange behaviors and values of the people there, like the assassins and the floating market traders, highlight the cultural differences. Also, in 'The Martian', Mark Watney has to deal with the lack of a human cultural environment on Mars. His attempts to create a semblance of normal life in the face of a completely different, barren 'culture' of Mars shows how cultural differences can be extreme.
They often do it through the perspective of the main character. For example, in 'Stranger in a Strange Land', Michael Valentine Smith is from Mars and his view of Earth's culture is very different. He doesn't understand things like money or the complex social hierarchies. His confusion and attempts to make sense of it show the cultural differences. In 'The Left Hand of Darkness', the envoy from another planet has to grapple with a society where gender roles are not like his own. This allows the author to explore how different cultures view and construct gender.
In interracial alien romance novels, cultural differences are often explored through the characters' daily lives. For instance, in some novels, the way aliens and humans communicate can be very different. Aliens might have a completely different language structure or non - verbal cues. This creates misunderstandings at first, but as the relationship progresses, they learn to understand each other. Another aspect is the values each species holds. For example, an alien race might value group harmony over individual desires, while humans are more individualistic. The novels show how the characters navigate these differences to build a relationship.
A great 'stranger in a strange land' novel is 'Slaughterhouse - Five' by Kurt Vonnegut. The protagonist, Billy Pilgrim, becomes 'unstuck in time' and finds himself in various strange situations, including on the alien planet of Tralfamadore. He is like a stranger in these different realms, both in time and in space. 'The Martian' by Andy Weir also fits the bill. Mark Watney is stranded on Mars, a strange land indeed, and has to figure out how to survive while being completely alone, a stranger in this harsh environment.
The main character is Valentine Michael Smith. He's the stranger in the strange land.
One key theme is cultural shock. The main character being a 'stranger' in a new and strange land experiences disorientation. Another theme is the exploration of human nature. It shows how different environments can bring out different aspects of a person.
Interracial cuckolding stories can show how different cultures view relationships. For example, in some cultures, fidelity is highly prized, while in others, more open relationships are somewhat accepted. When an interracial relationship is involved, these differences can be magnified. The way a person from one culture reacts to being cuckolded might be very different from someone from another culture. It can also explore how different cultures view race in relationships, like whether a particular race is seen as more desirable or powerful in the context of a relationship.
Expat novels can reflect cultural differences in various ways. Take 'A Moveable Feast' by Hemingway. He describes the Parisian cafes, the way people interact, and the literary and artistic scene which is very different from what he knew in America. The French way of life, with its focus on food, wine, and long conversations, is contrasted with the more brisk and business - like American culture. Through his descriptions and anecdotes, we see how the expat author experiences and interprets these cultural disparities.
Expatriates novels use different means to reflect cultural differences. They might describe the different cuisines. In a novel about an American expatriate in France, the way the character discovers and reacts to French food can show cultural differences. Moreover, the attitude towards time. In some cultures time is seen as very fluid, while in others it's very rigid. Expatriate characters' struggles or adaptions to these different time concepts can be a great way to reflect cultural differences.
In shapeshifter fiction stories, identity is often explored through the character's transformation. For example, in werewolf stories, the character has to deal with their human self and their wolf self. They may struggle with which one is the 'true' self. This shows the duality of identity.
It might explore cultural differences through the characters' daily lives. For instance, their different eating habits, family values, and social norms. One character might come from a culture where family is very hierarchical, while another is from a more egalitarian family structure.
Another aspect could be their family values. Vegeta has a complex relationship with his family, especially with his father and his own son. Cabba also has his own family and community in Universe 6. A fanfiction could show how their different family experiences shape their Saiyan identities. For example, Cabba's community might be more tight - knit, while Vegeta grew up in a more cut - throat Saiyan society. They could share their stories and learn from each other about what it means to be a Saiyan.