Question

Read the following passage from "Once in a Lifetime." Identify the culture that each of the characters represents. How does Hema's American culture blend with her Bengali culture? How does this passage reflect Jhumpa Lahiri's personal beliefs or perspectives?

"You're going to get sick, Kaushik, always wandering outside like that,” my mother said. She continued to speak to you in Bengali, despite your consistently English replies. It was your mother who came down with a cold, using this as an excuse to stay in bed for days. She refused the food my mother made for the rest of us, requesting only canned chicken broth. You walked to the minimart a mile from our house, bringing back the broth and issues of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. “Go ask Parul Mashi if she wants tea,” my mother said one afternoon, and I headed upstairs to the guestroom.

Answer 1

Sure, I can help you with that.

In the passage, Hema's mother speaks to Kaushik in Bengali, despite his consistently English replies. This suggests that Hema's mother is more traditional and prefers to speak in her native language. Kaushik, on the other hand, has grown up in America and is more comfortable speaking English. This suggests that he is more assimilated into American culture.

Hema's own culture is a blend of Bengali and American. She speaks both languages fluently and seems to be comfortable in both cultures. This is evident in the way she interacts with Kaushik's mother. She speaks to her in Bengali, but she also understands her English requests.

The passage reflects Jhumpa Lahiri's personal beliefs or perspectives in a few ways. First, it shows her interest in the intersection of cultures. Second, it shows her appreciation for the diversity of the American experience. Third, it shows her understanding of the challenges of assimilation.

Here are some specific examples from the passage that illustrate these points:

* The fact that Hema's mother speaks to Kaushik in Bengali, despite his English replies, shows Lahiri's interest in the intersection of cultures.

* The fact that Hema is comfortable speaking both Bengali and English shows Lahiri's appreciation for the diversity of the American experience.

* The fact that Kaushik's mother refuses the food that Hema's mother makes for the rest of the family and instead requests only canned chicken broth shows Lahiri's understanding of the challenges of assimilation.

Overall, the passage from "Once in a Lifetime" provides a glimpse into Jhumpa Lahiri's personal beliefs and perspectives on culture, diversity, and assimilation.