Boudi's Hell-Heaven

The short story “Hell-Heaven” was an excellent read that incorporated many aspects of America’s culturally diverse society. For the entire existence of the United States, the country has been a place of convergence for many cultural backgrounds. This convergence of cultures can cause friction amongst families trying to adapt to American life. In “Hell-Heaven” Usha and her mother, referred to as Boudi, grow apart from each other as their cultural upbringings clash with each other. Boudi, a Bengali native, holds on tightly to her heritage. Her daughter, Usha, grows up living an almost solely American life. Usha speaks English all of the time with the exception of at home, where she is forced to speak her native language. It is evident from early
in the story that the relationship between Usha and her mother is fragile and that Boudi did not transition well to life in America. The plot of “Hell-Heaven” is dynamic, and it incorporates numerous thought-provoking aspects. Boudi undergoes many changes throughout the course of the story.
Initially in the story, Boudi stays at home while Usha and her husband, Shyamal Da, partake in their American lives. Boudi has a hatred towards the American life she is forced to be a part of, she longs for the days filled with the traditions of her culture back home in Calcutta. “I would return from school and find my mother with her purse in her lap and her trench coat on, desperate to escape the apartment where she had spent the day alone.” All of this changed when Pranab Chakraborty stumbled into their lives. “Now I would find her in the kitchen, rolling out dough for luchis, which she normally made only on Sundays for my father and me...Pranab Kaku’s visits were what my mother looked forward to all day...she planned, days in advance, the snacks she would serve
him.” Pranab Kaku had similar interests in all of the same things that Boudi did. Many of these common interests, Boudi did not share with her husband. Boudi ultimately fell in love with Pranab Kaku. Boudi had no intention of leaving her husband, but her love for Pranab grew with each day. Boudi thoroughly enjoyed all of Pranab's visits and their time together. But then Deborah entered into the mix as Pranab’s girlfriend. Boudi was very jealous of Deborah; she changed Pranab. Pranab began to spend less time with Boudi and more time with his girlfriend. Deborah was the antagonist to Boudi, and Boudi would regularly tell Usha how Deborah was going to be just like every other American girl and ultimately leave Pranab, breaking his heart. “In a few weeks, the fun will be over and she’ll leave him.” Usha found Deborah to be utterly beautiful, but Boudi ridiculed minute details about her, claiming she had “spots on her face, and her hips were too small.” In the ensuing months, Deborah did not leave Pranab.
Boudi nearly attempted suicide because of Deborah and several other factors. “Then she took a can of lighter fluid and a box of kitchen matches and stepped outside.” The next door neighbor was the one who had been the one to change Boudi’s mind, even though she had no idea she had done so. Boudi’s actions were unforeseen to the reader. Initially, the motives of Boudi that prompted her actions in the backyard were unclear. Classroom discussion alluded to several factors that could have contributed to her decision. First of all, her marriage was arranged by her parents, and she was forced to leave her homeland and come with her new husband to America. Usha was also undergoing Americanization, drifting away from her Bengali roots. Deborah, however, had the largest impact on Boudi. Boudi loved Pranab, and when Deborah came, Boudi became immensely jealous. Boudi was living a life of isolation, and she longed for the Bengali traditions and customs she knew and loved. At that moment, it was all too much for Boudi to handle, and she nearly attempted
suicide. “Hell-Heaven” is an excellent short story showing the hardships of love and cultural diversity. The story shows regardless of the effort, a person will not be able to maintain their perfect heritage in a new nation. With time, cultures will begin to bleed together and coexist in a seamless harmony. The story was mentally stimulating and worth the time to read as well as the time to delve into the inner thinkings of the characters.