Baba's Perception of America

Baba was definitely in love with the idea of living in America. On page 125 he called it ‘ America the brash savior’. Clearly in the text we can see that the United States did not live up to his expectations. Its seems that the years spent in their new homeland up until the point in Chapter 11 took a lot out of Baba and really wore him down. He lost control of his inhibitions on page 128 when he took out all his frustrations on the store owner when he asked him for his ID. It is a very insignificant gesture to get so enraged over but a number of factors must have influenced this behavior. Baba was living in the past where he was a man of great influence and character, but now he was a simple gas station assistant. He had to serve others where he was used to being waited on. It must have put a lot of pressure on his dignity and self worth.

He obviously saw America as this place of power and offered opportunity for a bright new beginning. But instead he got a new life he never bargained for.

Amir on the other hand was happy with their relocation because it gave him the opportunity to escape his memories he wasn’t too fond of. Especially the memory of Hassan in the alley.

As an international student before arriving in America my expectations were very high. The saying, ‘ the grass is always greener on the other side’, applies very well to my thought process during my relocation to America. I visualized America as this country of perfection, power and opportunity. There is definitely so much more opportunity when it comes to education and America is very influential on the rest of the world. But by no means is this country perfect. I have come to realize that every country has its pros and cons. There are still serious issues to be dealt with. Coming to this realization has really made me appreciate and see the beauty of my own country. Amongst the animosity I have gained due to the rising crime rates in South Africa, I had lost the pride I used to hold for my own home. I now am proudly South African and will never doubt that again.