In Tim Winton’s short story “Neighbours”, he describes a newlywed couple who move into a European immigrant neighbourhood. Their relationship with their neighbours goes from discomfort to integration, which is a process through caution and discomfort to mutual understanding. The theme of multiculturalism is consisted with two main lines, conflict and integration, then the identity can be rebuilt. And the main way to bridge the spiritual gap is to strengthen interactions and promote mutual understanding. It is revealed that the spiritual divide is more of a concern than material lack, and the main way to bridge the spiritual gap is to strengthen interaction and promote mutual understanding.

Cultural conflict;Identity;Cultural integration;Neighbours;Multiculture

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DOI： https://doi.org/10.62639/sspjiss26.20250203

Published： 2025