What is the thesis of two ways to belong in America?
Bharati argues the two ways to belong in America are to transform yourself as an immigrant, or to be an exile. Her sister, Mira, hangs on passionately to her Indian lifestyle and hopes return home to retire.
What are the 2 ways Mukherjee discusses to belong in America?
The title of the essay states that there are two ways to belong in America. One is to become an expatriate hoping to be back to their home country one day, and another is to become an immigrant by accepting every rule and regulation, culture, lifestyle and everything of the settled land.
What does the title two ways to belong in America signify?
Bharati Mukherjee’s story, “Two Ways to Belong in America”, is about two sisters from India who later came to America in search of different ambitions. Growing up they were very similar in their looks and their beliefs, but they have contrasting views on immigration and citizenship.
What is the tone of two ways to belong in America?
The tone is frank even as she examines both sides to wanting to adapt to the new environment or retaining one’s culture identity. The use of imagery makes Mukherjee seem very happy living in America and giving up her old culture, which strongly contrasts her sister’s anger towards America and being an immigrant.
What is Mukherjee thesis?
Mukherjee’s thesis is that experiences as an immigrant in America can differ greatly from one person to another. She states her thesis most explicitly in paragraph 11, when she writes, “In one family, from two sisters alike as peas in a pod, there could not be a wider divergence of immigrant experience.” (pg 406)
What is Mukherjee’s purpose is she trying to inform to move readers to action to accomplish something else explain?
Solution. Mukherjee’s purpose is to inform; she likely wants her audience to reconsider their own perspective on immigration.
How effective is Mukherjee’s conclusion does it summarize the essay’s major points would another strategy be more effective explain?
Mukherjee’s conclusion is quite effective. She is letting the reader know that despite how these experiences differ, they still ultimately come with the same cost. To stay in America, an immigrant must change themselves in one way or another in order to fit in comfortably.
What is Mukherjee’s purpose?
Why does Mukherjee’s sister feel used?
Solution. Mira was able to feel quite comfortable residing in the US legally but without citizenship; before, she was able to easily maintain her Indian citizenship without feeling unwelcome.
What does Mukherjee mean when she says the price that the immigrant willingly pays and the exile avoids is the trauma of self transformation paragraph 15 )?
The “trauma of self-transformation” indicates that immigrants, both those who become citizens and those who do not, has to go challenges and transformations when they go to a different country that are not always easy and/or pleasant.
What basis for comparison exists between Mukherjee and her sister?
Solution. The basis of comparison for the two is established immediately in the essay; both sisters have lived in the US for the same amount of time.
Do you think Mukherjee respects her sister’s decision?
Solution. It seems as if Mukherjee did not originally respect her sister’s decision but grew to respect it over time, especially after public opinion and legislation surrounding immigration began to change.