- Why was life so hard in America for Danticat’s parents at first?
Life was hard in America for Danticat’s parents because like what she noticed what immigrants have in common, if they started poor, they were more likely to have to work extra harder making less money, and with little to no benefits. Danticat’s parents also had to work up to 2 jobs per day to support two families. One in Brooklyn, and one back home supporting Danticat and her younger brother, Andre.
- Explain the “Faustian bargain” offered to the children. Do you think it was a fair offer?
The Faustian bargain offered to the children was what the parents wanted for their children. They had set goals and dreams and they were either going to embrace it or reject it. In Danticat’s case, she rejected her parent’s dreams of wanting her to become a doctor. Moving from Haiti to New York was also a part of the offer made to the children. There were far more opportunities for the children to grow and a stable future. I think it was a fair offer, because every parent wants what’s best for their children. Danticat’s parents realized that Haiti was not the place that would offer their children many opportunities and decided to sacrifice their time and hard work in exchange for their children’s brighter future.
- How did Uncle Joseph and the children differ in their views of America? What contributes to their respective points of view?
Uncle Joseph and the children’s view of America differ in which Uncle Joseph had a realistic view of what America was going to be like for poor immigrants. He knew that living in New York would not be easy, “It was something to be clawed from the edge of despair with sweat and blood” (74). Uncle Joseph’s upbringing contributed to his way of thinking that no matter where they go, the poor will always struggle and make sacrifices in order to achieve little improvement in their lives. He lived in the area of Haiti that was not well off and always reminded Danticat and Andre that they were lucky to have parents that sacrificed for their futures. The children’s view differ from Uncle Joseph because they believed that America was like a doorway to heaven. Once they arrived there they would be able to buy anything they ever wanted, and their social status would change. The children always fantasized about living in New York as a dream come true. They believed that living in one of the richest cities in the world would be struggle-free and opened doors to many opportunities for them to never go back to the lifestyle they had in Haiti.
- What is the first lesson that Danticat learns about life in New York? Do you think this lesson is commonly shared by immigrants? Is it fair?
The first lesson that Danticat learns about life in New York, is that if immigrants were poor, they would most likely be working long hours, but paid very little. I believe that this lesson is shared by immigrants because many people from other countries come to America hoping for changes and more opportunities for their children. I don’t think it’s fair for immigrants to be working long hours but being paid less than Americans working, but I understand why. The more immigrants that are coming to America, the more competition American workers would have to go against.
- Discuss the quote: “it is the burden of each generation to embrace or reject the dreams set out by those who came before.” What do children owe their parents when many sacrifices have been made?
The quote means that with parents from all kinds of social class, they would always have a set dream that they would like their children to follow. There would be some parents that would not give up in making their children accept their dreams, and there would be some that would accept whatever their children decides to do. I believe that when many sacrifices are made by the parents for the futures of their children, the children should owe their respect and appreciation towards them for allowing them to achieve their own dreams.
- What is the difference between an immigrant and a “transnational”? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Which label do Danticat’s parents ultimately choose? Why?
The difference between an immigrant and a transnational would be immigrants are people who leave their home country and move to another to face a different society, and culture and adjusting to it as time passes. A transnational is someone who still has ties with their home country whether it be family members, voting rights, and shelters. The advantages of being an immigrant would be that you’re fully focusing on adjusting to the new country with no worries of your home country. The disadvantages of being an immigrant would be the sacrifices you had to make to get to the new country, and having to deal with people that may not believe in the same things as you do. The advantages of being a transnational would be that you would have the chance to go back to your home country if things don’t work out as you may have planned. Disadvantages would be you would have to constantly worry about whether or not your family members would be able to get to you, and if they will learn to adjust to the new environment. Danticat’s parents choose to be immigrants. They realize after living and buying their own house in Brooklyn, that it is the only place they want to live in, and would never want to leave. They chose this route for their success of their 4 children, and their futures of being financially stable unlike them, who barely made enough to survive.
- How does Danticat’s father’s American experience worsen after 9/11? Why do you think this treatment of him occurred?
After 9/11, Danticat’s father started to worry about terrorism and immigrants like himself and his family being attacked and blamed for it. It was something he never worried about in America. He also worried that not many immigrants would be able to experience the opportunities his family had coming to America. It also occurred to him that after all the hard work and sacrifices that he made, he would hope that it was all worth it for his children, and not have it ruined by anything.
- What is the connection of Uncle Joseph’s death to the beginning of the essay?
Uncle Joseph’s death’s connection to the beginning of the essay is that Danticat’s parents left behind Danticat and her brother, Andre, but eventually got to reunite with them later on. Danticat’s family never reunited with Uncle Joseph and he was the loved one that their family left behind.
- Why do you think the past tense is used in the title of the essay?
I think the title is past tense because when Danticat and Andre were younger, they used to believe that living in New York would be a totally different lifestyle waiting for them with no struggles, and many opportunities in store for them. Until they arrived in New York and experienced what most immigrants had to go through in order to live there, they began to realize that New York wasn’t that great anymore. What used to be a dream come true became a reality check for immigrants.
