Clothes and Saving Sourdi

Arranged Lives

America is still the Promised Land to millions of immigrants. They are from all over the world and do everything to make their way to the United States of America. Nonetheless, once in the USA, the immigrants experience a process of Americanization or the adoption of the American values and customs for the goal of becoming a member of the U.S.A. international mosaic. Most of these immigrants have difficulty integrating into the U.S. society because their own cultural baggage, frames of references and convictions do prevent them from effectively taking on the new culture. The two stories, "Saving Sourdi" by May-Lee Chai and “Clothes” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, are about becoming Americanized through women’s rights and arranged marriages.

In the story, “Clothes” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, after the death of her husband, Sumita faces the choice of either staying in California or returning to India to live with her relatives or in-laws. She understands that life in India is probably not something that she wants to have because the widows there are viewed by her as “doves with cutoff wings” (Chai 273), incapable of enjoying their lives to the fullest. It is for this reason; she chooses to pursue her own dream of living in America. She could face financial problems and racism. She also realizes that the females whose lives have been arranged and controlled by relatives do not face such matters. She learns how to become mature and independent, because of Somesh and now he is gone. Sumita says, “Air fills me-the same air that traveled through Somesh’s lungs a little while ago” (Chai 273). The reader can tell she is grieving just by reading this sentence. It is extremely difficult for her to change her way of thinking.

The story, “Saving Sourdi” by May-Lee Chai, is also quite similar in terms of dealing with the females who do not choose their husbands. Sourdi marries an older man, Mr. Chhay, through an arranged marriage that is organized by Sourdi’s mother. Sourdi is not happy with the marriage but does nothing to change her position. As Nea says about Sourdi, “When I looked at my sister’s pictures, I could see that she looked tired” (Chai 134). On the other hand, Sourdi’s sister perhaps does everything to change the situation. She feels that Mr. Chhay treats her sister rough and that he separated her from the family, including Nea. Nea tries to save her sister, but she realizes that Sourdi is an adult, who can choose her own destiny and help with her personal life.

The two stories clearly indicate the cultural specifics and differences attributed to the Indian culture with placing the emphasis on the women’s rights and the arranged marriages. Arranged marriages are a part of the Indian culture, and many women accept it without saying. Other women, especially those in the western society, question such practices considering them as inappropriate, discriminating and wrong. This is where the readers learn to see the differences between the east and west. Indian women, since their youth, have an understanding of their role in life. As Sumita’s father says in “Clothes”, “He’s a good man. Comes from a fine family. He will be kind to you” (Divakaruni 266). She does not even know the man she will marry. They have their marriage arranged, and the husband will provide a lifestyle appropriate for her and their children. Chai said in “Saving Sourdi,” Ma liked Sourdi’s husband. He had a steady job, a house. She didn’t mind he was so old and Sourdi just eighteen when they married” (134). Sourdi’s mother knew that this man would provide for her daughter. American women are raised with the knowledge that they are free to make any choice, marry whom they want, and the woman may not have a husband to provide for her lifestyle and her future children. The whole essence of being an American involves being free, mature, responsible and independent. They personally choose a life partner, with whom they will spend their time and life together. They want to make decisions with their loved one’s (husbands, relatives) and make independent choices. Indian women are born with the realization of serving a particular role in the lives of others. They are born to obey their husbands or relatives. Indian women belong to their husbands and their in-laws. When living in the USA and having complete control over their lives, many do find it difficult to change and to adapt to the US realities and the American way of life.

Finally, it is necessary to note that the two stories, "Saving Sourdi" by May-Lee Chai and “Clothes” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni bring up a significant issue of female rights and freedoms as affected by the US and Indian cultures. The stories note that in India women, although have predictable lives, do not have rights and freedoms to do what they want. In the USA, the lives of females are more uncertain, yet American females have full control over them. The nature of being an American is to be an independent decision-maker regardless of gender, age or race. It is about taking responsibility for one’s actions and life as a whole. Living life the way one chooses is better without having to conform to certain limitations set by the husband and in-laws. Nonetheless, as the stories show it, cultural heritage does profoundly affect women, making it quite difficult to change and accept full responsibility for their lives. The two stories teach readers that freedom and liberty for women comes with personal courage, strength, and determination. It may also involve risks, financial instability, failures, dissatisfaction and stress. The benefits still outweigh the costs and yet, Indian women choose to abandon their traditional upbringing and pursue the American Dream on their own.

Works Cited

Chai, May-Lee. "Saving Sourdi." 2011. The Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, and Writing. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford of St. Martin 's, 2011. 128-41. Print.

Divakaruni, Chita Banergee. "Clothes." 2011. The Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, and Writing. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford of St. Martin 's, 2011. 265-74. Print.

Cited: Chai, May-Lee. "Saving Sourdi." 2011. The Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, and Writing. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford of St. Martin 's, 2011. 128-41. Print. Divakaruni, Chita Banergee. "Clothes." 2011. The Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, and Writing. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford of St. Martin 's, 2011. 265-74. Print.