All papers examples
Get a Free E-Book!
Log in
HIRE A WRITER!
Paper Types
Disciplines
Get a Free E-Book! ($50 Value)

Native American Literature, Essay Example

Pages: 1

Words: 323

Essay

Part I

The homeless narrator is above all efficient, as his own confession indicates: “I suppose I’m effective.” (401) This indicates a general pragmatism in his movements, adjusting to life on the streets so as to cope with basic needs, such as the usage of a bathroom. Jackson Jackson’s self-description of “disappearing piece by piece” is thus indicative of his gradual deterioration as a human being, losing specific aspects of his general humanity. The closing lines contrast radically with this deterioration: the nostalgia for happy times shows the impossibility to return to these same times in life.

Part II

Whereas Lahiri’s story seems to be at first glance about cultural differences, my closer reading of the story would suggest that this is not at all what is at stake: rather, Lahiri wants to communicate the superficiality of cultural differences. Hence, consider the end of the story when he writes: “Unlike Mala, I was used to it all by then: used to cornflaes and milk, used to Helen’s visits, used to sitting on the bench with Mrs. Croft. The only thing I was not used to was Mala.” (426) Here, love and a deeper personal relationship remains complex, and this has nothing to do with the surface of cultural difference, remaining a universal complexity. By contrasting the love story of the narrative with the cultural differences expressed in the narrative, what Lahiri effectively communicates is the triviality of the latter in comparison to the significance of the former. There is a temporality present in all cultural differences: these may disappear with time. Yet love is problematic precisely because it speaks to the a-temporal, the brave commitment to a relationship that is ideally eternal, unbound to time. Certainly, at the end Lahiri notes that “there are times I am bewildered by each mile I traveled” (430), yet the triviality of the cultural assimilation is evinced in the more dominant theme of the difficult love in regards to Mala.

Time is precious

Time is precious

don’t waste it!

Get instant essay
writing help!
Get instant essay writing help!
Plagiarism-free guarantee

Plagiarism-free
guarantee

Privacy guarantee

Privacy
guarantee

Secure checkout

Secure
checkout

Money back guarantee

Money back
guarantee

Related Essay Samples & Examples

Voting as a Civic Responsibility, Essay Example

Voting is a process whereby individuals, such as an electorate or gathering, come together to make a choice or convey an opinion, typically after debates, [...]

Pages: 1

Words: 287

Essay

Utilitarianism and Its Applications, Essay Example

Maxim: Whenever I choose between two options, regardless of the consequences, I always choose the option that gives me the most pleasure. Universal Law: Whenever [...]

Pages: 1

Words: 356

Essay

The Age-Related Changes of the Older Person, Essay Example

Compare and contrast the age-related changes of the older person you interviewed and assessed with those identified in this week’s reading assignment. John’s age-related changes [...]

Pages: 2

Words: 448

Essay

The Problems ESOL Teachers Face, Essay Example

Overview The current learning and teaching era stresses globalization; thus, elementary educators must adopt and incorporate multiculturalism and diversity in their learning plans. It is [...]

Pages: 8

Words: 2293

Essay

Should English Be the Primary Language? Essay Example

Research Question: Should English be the Primary Language of Instruction in Schools Worldwide? Work Thesis: English should be adopted as the primary language of instruction [...]

Pages: 4

Words: 999

Essay

The Term “Social Construction of Reality”, Essay Example

The film explores the idea that the reality we experience is not solely determined by objective facts but is also shaped by the social and [...]

Pages: 1

Words: 371

Essay

Voting as a Civic Responsibility, Essay Example

Voting is a process whereby individuals, such as an electorate or gathering, come together to make a choice or convey an opinion, typically after debates, [...]

Pages: 1

Words: 287

Essay

Utilitarianism and Its Applications, Essay Example

Maxim: Whenever I choose between two options, regardless of the consequences, I always choose the option that gives me the most pleasure. Universal Law: Whenever [...]

Pages: 1

Words: 356

Essay

The Age-Related Changes of the Older Person, Essay Example

Compare and contrast the age-related changes of the older person you interviewed and assessed with those identified in this week’s reading assignment. John’s age-related changes [...]

Pages: 2

Words: 448

Essay

The Problems ESOL Teachers Face, Essay Example

Overview The current learning and teaching era stresses globalization; thus, elementary educators must adopt and incorporate multiculturalism and diversity in their learning plans. It is [...]

Pages: 8

Words: 2293

Essay

Should English Be the Primary Language? Essay Example

Research Question: Should English be the Primary Language of Instruction in Schools Worldwide? Work Thesis: English should be adopted as the primary language of instruction [...]

Pages: 4

Words: 999

Essay

The Term “Social Construction of Reality”, Essay Example

The film explores the idea that the reality we experience is not solely determined by objective facts but is also shaped by the social and [...]

Pages: 1

Words: 371

Essay