Tapka By David Bezgis Analysis

537 Words2 Pages

Language has a key role in Tapka. The story written by David Bezmozgis is about a family of Soviet refugees. Moving into a foreign country is hard and communication in this process is crucial and necessary. Communication is affected directly when the language is new in the country you are moving into and attempting to establish a prosperous successful future. Lack of language is a common theme that initially brought the Soviet family and the Nahumovsky couple from Belarus together, this was demonstrated in the story when Mark stated, “Joining us most nights were the Nahumovskys. They attended the same English classes and travelled with my parents on the same bus.” This partaking of the six month English classes was what connected the two stories of immigrants/refugees to collide. Furthermore, we can observe the complexity of how language and emotions are correlated directly in Tapka. The English language or any language for that matter is made up of just a cluster of words, but when those words are used inappropriately they can trigger emotions such as guilt, despair, and sorrow. Language is inappropriately used when Jana was referring to Tapka as “shithead”, “Gaylord” and “mental case” and Mark can be seen reflecting on her words when he thought, “I couldn’t help thinking, Poor …show more content…

I felt moral residue and looked around for some sign of recrimination.” We can see the power of language when Mark reflects on what is technically just a cluster of words and in this case the words are being used as derogatory names towards

Open Document