Change: American Born chinese & A thousand Splendid Suns
American Born Chinese and A Thousand Splendid Suns share the common theme of change. The characters undergo change because they don't agree with their situation. "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." (Viktor Frankl)
In A Thousand Splendid Suns Mariam grew up in a little hut, but when her mother died, she had to change her lifestyle and go live with a stranger. Not only did she have to live with him, she had to try, struggle, and fail through childbearing. She had to watch what she said, did, and thought because one wrong move and Rasheed would snap on her. Mariam had to start looking out for Laila and Laila’s children when they came. Mariam changed her mind about other people taking Rasheed from her. She never really wanted Rasheed, Mariam just wanted to be loved. In result of her change, Laila and her kids showed Mariam more than enough affection. |
The changes led her to one moment. Whether to bring the shovel down on Rasheed’s reign of terror or to continue to suffer. Laila’s life or Rasheed’s death and her own. Mariam became a mother figure to Laila throughout the years and one thing all mothers should do is give up their lives for her children’s. So, that is just what she did.
Laila had a perfect childhood, her father always wanting more for her, a wonderful best friend that eventually becomes her lifelong companion. One day Tariq leaves, asking her to go with him and his family. Laila’s mother wants to see the end of the war for her late sons. When the war looks like it will never end, Mammy and Babi decide to leave. One day too late they decide.
The final day of their packing and preparation for departure, a rocket hits Laila’s childhood home and takes the life of the two people she loves most. Laila is found under the wreckage by Rasheed, who takes her and makes her his wife. Laila has to accept his proposal so she can survive in a society where laws are burdening.
Even in the face of evil, Laila finds Mariam, her guardian angel. She changes when she has her two children, and then again when Mariam is taken from her. Tariq finds Laila and their daughter, and rescues them. He takes them to his safe haven in the country where Laila is finally able to relax, although she will never see her guardian angel again. Laila now is able to act like a mother and wife, not forcing herself to be a defender of herself, her family, and her secrets.
Laila had a perfect childhood, her father always wanting more for her, a wonderful best friend that eventually becomes her lifelong companion. One day Tariq leaves, asking her to go with him and his family. Laila’s mother wants to see the end of the war for her late sons. When the war looks like it will never end, Mammy and Babi decide to leave. One day too late they decide.
The final day of their packing and preparation for departure, a rocket hits Laila’s childhood home and takes the life of the two people she loves most. Laila is found under the wreckage by Rasheed, who takes her and makes her his wife. Laila has to accept his proposal so she can survive in a society where laws are burdening.
Even in the face of evil, Laila finds Mariam, her guardian angel. She changes when she has her two children, and then again when Mariam is taken from her. Tariq finds Laila and their daughter, and rescues them. He takes them to his safe haven in the country where Laila is finally able to relax, although she will never see her guardian angel again. Laila now is able to act like a mother and wife, not forcing herself to be a defender of herself, her family, and her secrets.
Like Mariam and Laila in A Thousand Splendid Suns, the characters in American Born Chinese have learned to move forward they must change. Jin Wang doesn’t like being the only Asian student at his new school. Wei-Chen arrives and Jin doesn’t want to be associated with him because he wants Amelia, an all-american girl, to like him. Jin changes his identity into Danny, whose “cousin” is actually the monkey king who changed from his selfish ways and all-powerful mind set into a helpful and wise person. You could say the Monkey King reached his enlightenment.
In both stories the situations are different but the characters have realized in order for something new to happen there must be change. |
Don't let you, stop you.