Question

Read the excerpts and answer the question that follows.

Once in a Lifetime by Jhumpa Lahiri (Excerpt)
Freeway 280 by Lorna Dee Cervantes (Excerpt)

Which of the following descriptions most clearly details the difference between Hema, the narrator in "Once in a Lifetime," and the speaker in "Freeway 280"?
a. Hema is Chicana, and the speaker of "Freeway 280" is Bengali American.
b. Hema is an adult, and the speaker of "Freeway 280" is a child.
c. Hema's identity is influenced by her parents, whereas the speaker of "Freeway 280" is searching for her identity.
d. Hema was born in the United States, while the speaker of "Freeway 280" is an immigrant.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option c. The most accurate description of the difference between Hema and the speaker in "Freeway 280" is that Hema's identity is influenced by her parents, while the speaker is searching for her identity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Comparing the characters of Hema in Once in a Lifetime by Jhumpa Lahiri and the speaker in Freeway 280 by Lorna Dee Cervantes, we can analyze the descriptions provided to deduce the differences in their identities.

Hema's experiences and relationships with her parents are highlighted in the Lahiri's narrative, which can influence her sense of identity. Conversely, the speaker in Cervantes' poem is engaged in a personal quest to find her identity. Without direct excerpts from the texts, we can infer from common themes present in the authors' other works that their characters often explore the nuances and complexities of identity, especially regarding the intersection of culture and personal history.

Based on the provided information, the most plausible answer that details the difference between the two characters is:

c. Hema's identity is influenced by her parents, whereas the speaker of "Freeway 280" is searching for her identity.