Final answer:
In "The Paper Menagerie," the passage of time is used to depict characters' evolving identities and struggles with cultural assimilation in America.
Step-by-step explanation:
The story "The Paper Menagerie" uses the passage of time to showcase the evolving self-identity and assimilation of its characters into American culture. Time acts as a narrative device to reveal changes in the characters' lives, reflecting the broader context of shifting American identities over different periods. Initially, the characters may feel tied to their ethnic roots and experience a sense of being 'othered' in American society. However, as time progresses, the characters grapple with the desire to fit in and the tensions between embracing an American identity and preserving their original cultural heritage. This inner conflict and eventual transformation are emblematic of many individuals' experiences, especially those from immigrant backgrounds, who navigate the blending of multiple identities within the American cultural melange.