Jasmine
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As we are introduced to Jasmine in the beginning of the story, we see the hardships she has been dealing with since the day she was born. Born as a female, her life journey will never be a simple one. As a Punjabi peasant woman, Jyoti would naturally have a servile relationship to men. In her homeland she would make herself useful to the male society only and be happy about it. There is never a thought that Jyoti will pursue an education or get to work. However, when she is married to Prakash he says “You are Jasmine now. You cant jump into wells”. This shows us that not only was Prakash trying to create equality between them as husband and wife in this male dominated world, but also show the many identities of Jasmine we will meet through out the novel.
Just before the departure to America, exited about the future business that might be known as Vijh & Wife, Prakash is killed in Hasnapur by a bomb planted by Sikh extremists. It is only Jyoti who will travel to America. Jasmines difficult odyssey to America and her initial experiences in an alien society, parallel the emergence of a new selfhood despite the vulnerability of her youth and material circumstances. Her brutal rape at the hands of Half-face, a man who represents the worst of America in his racist and inhuman treatment of the Asian and black refugees aboard on his ship shows the tiger in her. Unlike in the most endings where the girl is raped and damaged for life, Jasmine actually gets her revenge. Jasmine infused with the destructive energy of the goddess Kali murders Half Face and precedes her journey “traveling light”. Through out her journey the postcards Prakash received from his old teacher that read “Celebrate America, Travel the Perfect Freedom” isnt exactly what she lives through. Leaving behind her life at home she expected this journey to be an escape to a better life and instead is rescued by Lillian Gordan and nurtured back to health. As if all of this wasnt enough she slowly finds out that America isnt at all the fairy tale place she thought it would be.
Her first clue of the Americas reputation is when she accidentally finds out the real occupation of ProfessorJi. Prakashs benefactor and teacher during first year of technical school, ProfessorJi lodges Jasmine during her five months in Flushing, New York. Due to an emergency at home Jasmine searches for him in Queens College, since he is employed there. However, she finds out that instead of education, his expertise is importing and sorting out human hair, for future wig making. Jasmine understood that ProfessorJis letters exaggerated the vast potential for riches and employment in America. So embarrassed by his lies and location in the basement of the Khyber Bar BQ he decides to help her become legal.
When moving to Manhattan Jasmine becomes Jase, a name given to her by her new employer Taylor. Jasmine receives a title of a “caregiver” for a young child living with the couple on Claremont Avenue. She receives her first paycheck and begins to learn a little of American culture. She sees how fast American couples fall out of love, goes to a Mets Baseball game and even becomes addicted to the Home Shopping Network. When she started spending more than she earned I personally knew it right then and there she should be issued an American Passport. After two years in New York