What Is The Theme Of Two Ways To Belong In America
The short story Two Ways to Belong in America revolves around two Indian immigrant sisters who migrated to America and the author, Mukherjee shares their experiences as immigrants. The author desires to comply with American culture while her sister fervently believes in connecting with her homeland and keeping true to her cultural beliefs and identity. Mukherjee later is able to sympathize with her sister’s sense of betrayal from the government as she lives in Canada. The author delves into living as an immigrant in America and the emotional toll that comes with it. The author first describes their similar upbringing and later shifts the focus to their divergent paths and dreams. The author uses rhetorical devices to reveal that not every …show more content…
Mhurkerjee uses repetition to develop this idea of their divergent perspectives by saying, “I am an American citizen, she is not.” “I am moved that thousands of long-term residents are finally taking the oath of citizenship. She is not” (Mukherjee 272). This use of repetition highlights the tensions between their contrasting beliefs. Murkhjee upholds a sense of pride in being an American citizen as she describes herself as being an “American.” Her sister on the other hand holds less enthusiasm for the idea of citizenship. In addition, Mhurkjee uses the term “scapegoating of aliens” to emphasize the unfair treatment immigrants face on a daily basis. This reveals why one of the sisters is more inclined to continue her Indian heritage because America at the time was less accepting of immigrants. The author also uses juxtaposition in an emotional context to put across their opposing perspectives when it comes to the choices that they have made in their lives and their integration into the country. It’s clear emotions play a big part in their stances, for example, when Mira talks with her she says, "I feel used," Mira raged on the phone the other night. "I feel manipulated and discarded” (Mukherjee 273). This emotional outburst is because of a new immigrant policy put in place. She is frustrated because of her professional contributions to the community and the policy being
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Summary Of Two Ways To Belong In America By Bharati Mukherjee
1779 Words | 8 PagesShe discusses her shock: “I felt the same sense of betrayal that Mira feels now. I will never forget the pain of that sudden turning, and the casual racist outbursts the Green Paper elicited. That sense of betrayal had its desired effect and drove me, and thousands like me, from the country” (12). She repeats the phrase ‘sense of betrayal,’ and uses strong, negatively connotated emotional words like ‘pain’ to illustrate the emotional impact other legislation has had on migrants. She continues to evoke the sympathy of the reader for these innocent immigrants who came to these developed countries seeking economic and personal freedom, but were rejected because of their countries of origin.
Comparison Between 'Where Worlds Collide And' An Indian Father's
1320 Words | 6 PagesA family just arrives in America and is experiencing everything for the first time after hearing only stories of boundless freedom and inexhaustible hope. For citizens of America. Citizens of America tend to have the same mentality, America gives off the illusion of freedom for those who grew up within it’s boundaries. However, looking through the lens of an immigrant it becomes clear just how false this freedom is. As soon as this family steps off the plane they see “Do not cross yellow lines… [and] Beware of solicitors signs” (pg. 5) and hear “Unattended cars are subject to immediate tow-away,” (5) it would be hard for them not to feel dissatisfied.
Hunger Of Memory And Footprints On The Flag, By Richard Rodriguez
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Mira Mukherjee's Two Ways To Belong In America
472 Words | 2 PagesShe saw the importance in society and of those who play a role in it. Voting and rights along with other American citizen duties are something Bharati was looking forward to taking part in. It was in her opinion, the citizens role to take part in the society that they lived(Mukherjee 291). Mira refused this belief, holding tightly to her Indian heritage, wishing to one day return to India.
'An Indian Father's Plea' By Robert Lake
1355 Words | 6 PagesOne who lives an American lifestyle to one who lives a traditional Indian lifestyle. The purpose of the passage is basically stating that culture doesn't change us, we change ourselves. “In the passage” immigration separates the two sisters. Now while both are supposed to return to India. To marry the guys their father chosen.
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565 Words | 3 PagesOn one hand, she is proud of her Mexican roots and is frustrated by the way her family and community are treated in America. She is constantly reminded of the prejudice and discrimination that Mexican-Americans face, and this fuels her desire to challenge the stereotypes and expectations that are placed on her. On the other hand, she is also excited by the opportunities that America offers and is eager to explore the world beyond her family and
Cultural Symbolism In Madeleine Thien's Simple Recipes
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Personal Narrative: My Move To America
1069 Words | 5 PagesWhen I came to America, I had to go through much struggle. First and the most important was that I did not know how to speak English. Apart from this I was very shy, so I didn’t communicate with people frequently. Growing up in America and being a son of two Indian parents, I never felt truly American or Indian. I spoke Punjabi at home, but was educated in English so I had difficulty managing two languages.
Summary Of Borders By Thomas King
984 Words | 4 PagesHer insistence that she is from the “Blackfoot side” (292) when asked which side of the border she is from proves this. The reader can identify irony in the idea that the protagonist and his mother would be able to cross the border with ease if she were to only claim her national citizenship. This reinforces the concept of pride that she is trying to teach her son because when she does not allow the border to alter her identity, she shows him the power of self-dignity. The protagonist’s idea of his own identity strengthens when he is told that his words “do not count” (292) after he states that he is both “Blackfoot and Canadian” (292). He identifies as both, yet his mother’s unshakable identity as only Blackfoot teaches him that he does not “have to be American or Canadian” (293), but can be something else entirely and independently.
English Literary Analysis Of Nino Ricci's Going To The Moon
663 Words | 3 PagesTo sum up, throughout the story, by using tone and symbolism, the author convey the experience of immigration: their struggle and the belief, the dream for a more improved life. This experience points out that settling in a new country is perhaps a dreadful experience, yet a lesson can be drawn out of this story: if one is strong enough to overcome the hardship, they will earn a better
Montreal 1962 And Shauna Singh Baldwin's Elegy
513 Words | 3 PagesAn immigrant's life can be very challenging, as they often struggle to adjust to society. The primary reason for someone to immigrate is to gain access to new opportunities in a new country. Nevertheless, it can be difficult for an immigrant to maintain their personality, culture, and identity in an environment that does not respect their culture. The short story “Montreal 1962” by Shauna Singh Baldwin focuses on what it is like being an immigrant fighting for an identity, whereas Lena Tuffaha’s poem “Elegy” emphasizes that certain individuals are willing to give up their identities in order to be accepted into society.
My Favorite Chaperone Summary
624 Words | 3 PagesImmigrants that are new to the American society are often so used to their own culture that it is difficult for them to accept and adapt to the American culture. The language that is spoken, as well as the various holidays and traditions that Americans entertain themselves with, aren’t what most immigrants would deem a neccessity for their life to move on. Nonetheless, they still have to be accustomed to these things if they have any chance of suceeding in a land where knowledge is key. The story “My Favorite Chaperone” written by Jean Davies Okimoto, follows the life of a young girl who along with her brother Nurzhan, her mother known as mama, and her father whom she refers to as Papi have immigrated to the United States from Kazakhstan, through a dating magazine. Throughout the story each family member faces problems that causes them to realize just how different their life is know that they’ve immigrated..
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Analysis Of Two Ways To Belong In America By Bharati
465 Words | 2 PagesIn the essay “Two Ways to Belong in America,” from 50 essays, Bharati Mukherjee contrasts the different views of the United States from two Indian sisters. The author distinguishes her American lifestyle to her sister’s traditional Indian lifestyle. Both sisters grew up in Calcutta, India, moved to America in search of education and work. Bharati adjusts to the American society very quickly, where her sister Mira clings to her Indian traditions more strongly. Despite both sisters living in America, only Bharati is an American citizen, while her sister Mira is not.
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