Bharati Mukherjee Two Ways To Live In America Analysis

As stated in the novel “But her small boot heel did not make an indenture not a mark upon the circlet” (Chopin 57). Those proves the thesis because it shows the attachment she will always have to Leonce because she does not feel strong enough to leave the marriage. Another example of Edna’s forced dependency to Leonce is the expectation of married women by society. During that era women had little to no rights and were expected to abide by the strict societal rules. According to Mary Bird’s essay “Women had no rights, and were legally bound to do whatever their husbands decided was best”.

Bharati was settling for “fluidity, self-invention, blue jeans, and T-shirts”(268). Bharati decided to be a part of a new community by marrying someone of a different community and living an American lifestyle. Unlike Mira, Bharati has adapted to the American community and has become a part of it. However, like Mira, she too has not felt welcomed in a community. Bharati compares Mira’s situation in America to one that she faced in Canada, where the government turned against the immigrants.

That there is not always that whole happily ever after. It is up to you to find that silver lining that makes your ending something great or not. Marry Antin found her way after her mother died and she moved to America all the way from Russia. Though all of this she saw things in a positive light. Antin then goes on to be the great writer she is to inspire others.

Rachel never fully connects with any of the Congolese people, and finds it absolutely revolting about the idea that the Chief wants her as a wife. Her religious views are almost nonexistent throughout the novel, so she never comes to terms with if it is something she does or does not believe in. Besides her clinging to American civilization, she has nothing guide her through the darkness, and never even attempts to learn how to. She doesn 't let herself connect to anyone, except for the only other American in the village, Eeben Axelroot. Because of this, she cannot grow and adjust, only remain in the same spot she had when they had first arrived in the Congo.

People’s view of the world is based upon their personal experiences and not their culture. “Mira and I differ, however, in the ways in which we hope to interact with the country that we have chosen to live in.” (Two Ways To Belong In America by Bharati Mukherjee) The fact that even though Mira and Bharati were raised the same and they still had different beliefs and life paths to follow proves that culture doesn’t always affect future beliefs. The way you were raised doesn’t affect your cultural identity, views and future as much as experiences you go through. Two people could be raised the same, but end up different based on their experiences throughout their lives. Our experiences shape the way we perceive the world.

All their different experiences bring them that much closer now. “I am an American and she is not”(Mukherjee). The author is trying to tell the reader that they aren't alike but they will always be sisters no matter what.

To marry the guys their father chosen. Mira feels a sense of betrayal. Mainly because they are living in the US, but Mira is living a traditional Indian lifestyle. While Bharati loves America and American traditions. The author states several times how the sisters were at odds with each other because of the fact that they are liking two different

In the essay, it stated,”If America wants to make new rules curtailing benefits of legal immigrants, the should apply only to immigrants who arrive after those rules are already in place.”(Mukherjee) It is shown how Mira’s culture is different compared to other people who live in America because she wasn’t born in America, Mira is an Indian citizen who immigrated to the U.S. with her sister to have a better life. Moreover, it is influencing her life because she feels like she isn’t being treated the same as other people. Her view of this situation is different than other people that are not the same culture as her because Mira is being treated like a person who just came to America. Mira expects that she would be treated like a person who has been in America for

Asha doesn’t actually care about the slum or its residents, just like the Sheikh doesn’t actually care about the Israelis or Jaafari. She wants the life she envisioned for herself and her daughter Manju to become a reality. This same drive to succeed she would see in the Sheikh and the Palestinian resistance movement in

After losing everything dear to her, China represented defeat while America was hope. She settled in San Francisco and never looked back. With little understanding of the American culture she pressured Jing-mei to engage in every opportunity to perfection. Jing-mei never knew tragedy and despair like her mother experienced, but was diversely influenced by the American culture. To Jing-mei America meant freedom to be yourself.