The Importance Of Identity In Childhood

Identity is a play of power, culture and history (Hall)

Hospital symbolizes power, dominance and authority. Ashoke and Ashima go to a Boston’s hospital for their first child’s delivery. While Ashima goes to labour room, her husband waits in a waiting room of the hospital. Ashima and Ashoke feel they are surrounded by host country’s power. “They feel isolated and mentally sick. Ashoke feels more burdensome than his wife because there is no one with them. They are amongst strangers. According to Sue Brenann Hospital symbolizes control and authority ““where individuals are subjected to disciplinary regimes aimed producing ‘healthy’ and self-sufficient citizens of the nation” (6). He thinks he has migrated for the sake of good life and better opportunities but feels isolated and burdened “Although it is Ashima who carries the child, he too, feels heavy, with the thought of life, of his life and life about to come from it” (13). At five in the morning, their baby is born. The couple look at their baby and feel blessed and happy. After the birth of child, some Indian friend come to see Ashima and baby. Ashima feels so lonely when she thinks her son is not getting blessings from his elders and relatives. “Without a single grandparent, parent or uncle, the baby’s birth, like most everything else in America, feels somehow haphazard” (16). Ashima is born and bred in India and comes to America after marriage. She has always seen babies’ birth celebration in a different way in