Comparing The Book Of Unknown Americans And My Favorite Chaperone

Immigrants tend to experience difficulties while in the immigrant country. In “The Book of Unknown Americans” and “My favorite Chaperone”, the characters Mayor (and the Toro family) and Maya, respectively, faced difficulties such as discrimination or being constrained by their parents’ traditional values. The Toro family, who immigrated to the United States because of the tearing apart from the war, faced obstacles whenever they tried to visit their home country, Panama. Maya, who got to America from an international dating magazine (just her aunt was in the magazine), wanted to attend the Spring Fling (all school dance) but was sure that she’d be rejected by her parents. Despite their difficulties, they both have similar goals that they share,

For example, in “The Book of Unknown Americans”, it states, “But the country was so ravaged that their hearts never stopped breaking. Eventually they sold almost everything they owned and used the money to buy plane tickets to somewhere else, somewhere better, which to them had always meant the United States.” This shows that the Toro family, out of necessity, went to America to avoid the devastation of the war and obviously wanted to get new opportunities in America. In order to do that, they also have to assimilate into America. Another example that’s from “My favorite Chaperone”, states, “Papa and Mama lost their teaching jobs because the government was running out of money. Mama had to go to the market and sell many of our things: clothes, dishes, even some furniture. When Aunt Madina asked us to come to America for the hundredth time, we were running out of things to sell and my parents finally agreed. Aunt Madina sponsored us, and not long after we got here, Papa got a job driving a cab, and Mama worked cleaning people’s houses. ” This shows that similar to the Toro family, Maya and her family also came to America out of necessity and to live a better

According to “My favorite Chaperone”, it states, “‘We give permission for this, Maya, because Nurzhan will go, too,’ Mama said. ‘He will not leave your side,” Papa announced in a serious tone. “He is your capravazhdieuushee.’ ‘Chaperone.’ I said the English word. I know this word because the parents who help the teachers supervise the kids at school activities are called this. But I hadn’t heard of a little boy being a chaperone. Thank you, Mama. Thank you, Papa.’ ‘It is Nurzhan you must thank,’ Mama said. I thanked Nurzhan, too, and Mama and Papa left our room. Then I heard the front door close and I knew Papa had left for work.” This indicates that if it wasn’t for Maya’s perseverance and with the help of her family, then going to the Spring Fling would be impossible. After going through all the obstacles: the conflict with her family and the difficult time adjusting to American culture, she finally could attend the Spring Fling and really assimilate into American culture away from her parent’s traditional values. Another example from “The Book of Unknown Americans”, states, “All day long she kept herself no more than an arm’s length from me and my brother, hugging us against her and then letting us go, like she wanted to assure herself that we were still there and that we were okay. Enrique, who was old enough by then