Identity
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Identity is a state of mind in which someone recognizes/identifies their character traits that leads to finding out who they are and what they do and not that of someone else. In other words its basically who you are and what you define yourself as being. The theme of identity is often expressed in books/novels or basically any other piece of literature so that the reader can intrigue themselves and relate to the characters and their emotions. Its useful in helping readers understand that a persons state of mind is full of arduous thoughts about who they are and what they want to be. People can try to modify their identity as much as they want but that can never change. The theme of identity is a very strenuous topic to understand but yet very interesting if understood. How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez and Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki are two remarkable books that depict the identity theme. They both have to deal with people that have an identity that theyve tried to alter in order to become more at ease in the society they belong to. The families in these books are from a certain country from which theyre forced to immigrate into the United States due to certain circumstances. This causes young people in the family trauma and they must try to sometimes change in order to maintain a comfortable life. Both authors: Alvarez and Houston have written their novels Is such an exemplifying matter that identity can be clearly depicted within characters as a way in adjusting to their new lives.
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez is a tale of four girls who are forced to leave their country, Dominican Republic. This occurred because their father got into police problems for protesting against the dictatorship and so they had to escape to the United States before the situation got worse. As they tried to get adjusted in New York City it was very hard for them to do since their families wanted them to maintain their cultural roots but yet the girls wanted to be like everyone else was so that they could feel comfortable. Trying to adjust to their new way of life is very difficult especially in a city like New York where if youre not high-class you struggle along in often dangerous community which is something their mother doesnt want them to become exposed to. As they search for their cultural identity this also interferes with their personal identity.
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents is story that is mostly told through Yolandas point of view since she was the one that in the family that most struggle with her own identity. She was born in the Dominican Republic but when she came to New York City everything changed. As she tried to accommodate herself she lost many of her old ways yet gained knowledge of the American ways. In Chapter 1 Yolanda returns to Dominican Republic after five years but she had changed a lot. It was hard for her to speak Spanish the way she used to before and also difficult to remember any cultural words. Her aunts explained to her that an “antojo” is a craving you have for something. At the thought of this she decided to go into the countryside and search for some “guavas”. As Yolanda was in search for such fruits, two men with weapons asked her if Spanish if she needed help. “She has been too frightened to carry out any strategy, but now a road is opening up before her. She clasps her hands on her chest–she can feel her pounding heart–and nods. Then, as if the admission itself loosens her tongue, she begins to speak, English, a few words, of apology at first, then a great flood of explanation . . .”(Alvarez, Chapter 1-Antojos) This one of most superlative quotations in this book that can be used to explain identity. When the two guys approached her and asked if she was American her first instinct was to do as one does and speak English because she thought they were going to harm when indeed they were simply going to ask for help. The ironicy within this is that she went back to her homeland to adjust herself back to her cultural roots. Her act of bravery has indeed been shown through Dominican standards that she has an American Identity because no woman would be out so late by themselves. It can clearly be shown she is confused about her own identity according to certain situations she encounters in her homeland. Yolanda already thinks differently, acts differently, and behaves differently which goes to show her living in the US has shaped her identity.
Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki is about a Japanese family who is forced to flee into the United States because the man of the family has gotten into government problems. Because he was considered a national threat to the national his family is sent to move into the Manzanar Relocation Center. There they undergo tough situations that question their indignity. Slowly the family drifts apart as, Jeanne, the main character decided